Traditional Scotch Shortbread

Directions

1. 1
   Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
2. 2
   Mix well with a spoon.
3. 3
   Empty contents onto a flat, dry surface.
4. 4
   Add softened butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with your hands until it is like putty.
5. 5
   Flatten out with your hands, then roll dough out until it is about 1/2 inch thick.
6. 6
   Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and gently poke the entire surface with a fork all over; bake in a preheated oven at 325° for approximately 15 minutes or until it starts to brown, then reduce the temperature to 300° and bake another 30 minutes.
7. 7
   Remove from oven.
8. 8
   Slice into 2-inch squares or some semblance thereof and place back into a cooling oven to complete the process.