Tender Shortbread?

[opinionatedchef]

I have recently become addicted to the amazing Biscottea shortbreads( sold through www.shoporganic.com) that come in a variety of tea flavored and coffee flavored varieties.Unlike other commercial varieties i have had which have been hard, these are amazingly tender, but with crispness as well. Their ingredients include wheat flour, unsalted and salted butter, cane sugar,flavorings and lastly, baking soda(must be a tiny amount because it's the last ingredient listed).

I am becoming inspired to try my hand at some shortbread and particularly would like to try making some different varieties with cardamom, green tea powder, and sesame. Do any of you astute CHs have recipes or techniques to share/direct me to? Thanks very much.

[dchow]

my favorite and simplest (ingredient-wise) is the recipe from the tartine cookbook. it's pretty essential to press the dough into your pan very evenly, or else the shortbread will bake unevenly. also, as per the instructions, cut the shortbread while it's still warm (i use a bench knife) or else you'll end up with not-so-neat pieces when it has cooled. totally worth it, though. buttery, tender, flaky, simple.