Okay, folks, here’s one you’ve all been waiting for: Ted’s shortbread cookies (“biscuits” in the UK). I’ve tried several different recipes for these, including the one that alleges to be the original one from the TV show. This one is the easiest to pull together, and also the one I find to be the tastiest of the bunch. I’ll be making these for my Valentine this year, and likely all the years to come. Oh, and a link to instructions to craft the lovely pink gift box in included at the bottom as well. All it takes is a simple printer, one sheet of heavy card stock, a glue gun, and a pair of scissors. And it’s worth the effort. Trust me.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• coarse sugar, for topping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment on all sides. Set aside.
• In a food processor combine the flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, almond, and butter. Pulse until just combined and the mixture starts to form a dough around the blades of the food processor.
• Press the dough into the prepared pan, using your hands to spread the dough into an even layer.
• Sprinkle the tops of the bars generously with coarse sugar.
• Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until just light golden brown. Take out of the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing the bars into your desired size! Enjoy!

• Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
• Cook Time: 40 MINUTES
• Total Time: 55 MINUTES
• Yield: 18 bars

• Courtesy of BromaBakery.com

Ted’s cute little pink box–perfect size for six bars, so you can give the gift to your favorite Valentine and keep the rest for yourself. Simply print both pages on one sheet (both sides) of a piece of heavy card stock, cut carefully along the lines, and fold and glue the box. Nice!