Smiley Face Shortbread

Directions

1. 1
   Bring the butter to room temperature, and soften in a bowl.
2. 2
   Sift flour and cornstarch together.
3. 3
   Mix the softened butter lightly, and add sugar and salt to mix in (Just mix lightly until everything is well combined.)
4. 4
   Add the sifted dry ingredients to the bowl and mix.
5. 5
   Add milk (or cream), and mix and knead until it becomes a dough.
6. 6
   You can divide the dough in half and add cocoa to one portion if you like.
7. 7
   Spread out a sheet of plastic wrap, form the dough into long, thin logs and wrap.
8. 8
   Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour (overnight is preferable).
9. 9
   Cut the dough into 1 cm slices, and line up on a baking sheet.
10. 10
    Draw faces on the slices using a chopstick and digging rather deeply.
11. 11
    (The faces are optional.)
12. 12
    Bake for 20-25 minutes in a 170C (338 Fahrenheit) oven, and it's done!
13. 13
    (Adjust the baking time depending on the thickness of the cookies and your oven.)
14. 14
    I made a version without cornstarch, replacing it with more flour.
15. 15
    They came out quite crumbly.
16. 16
    These are square-faced.
17. 17
    These are shaped like regular shortbread.
18. 18
    Vary the thickness, size, shape... to your taste!
19. 19
    This is a version with faces with hair.
20. 20
    Add chopped dried fruit.
21. 21
    The fruity acidity is really delicious.
22. 22
    A bear shaped version with cute wrapping!
23. 23
    Kitty shaped version.
24. 24
    I used melted chocolate for hair.
25. 25
    Straight bangs, side part, parted bangs... there are many variations!