Gilded Chocolate Shortbread

A chocolate masterpiece; chocolate shortbread with a gilded finish. These can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 0.75 cup confectioners' sugar
• 0.5 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup cake flour
• 0.25 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons 24-karat gold dust

Steps

1. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream the butter and 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Beat in the cocoa, vanilla and salt, mix until smooth. On low speed, gradually mix in the flour until fully incorporated. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Prepare a clean, dry work surface by dusting with the remaining confectioners' sugar.
3. Roll chilled dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes with a knife or cookie cutters. Place cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a small stiff brush or flat pastry brush, lightly dust the tops of the cookies with the 24-karat gold dust. Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until firm. Be careful not to overbake; you cannot tell by looking because of the dark color of the dough. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.