Everyone needs a classic shortbread recipe in their holiday baking repertoire. This one has the perfect combination of the snap and melt-in-your-mouth qualities of a good shortbread. Three tips for making the best shortbread ever:

• Work quickly and with only half of the dough at a time. Keeping the butter chilled in the dough means optimum cookie texture.
• Dip your cookie cutter in flour between uses to prevent sticking.
• Use any shaped cookie cutter you like to customize your holiday shortbread.

image: Ryan Szulc