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The preparation process is both straightforward and intricate. After boiling the butter and carefully melding it with the flour, the yeast mixture is blended in. The most challenging part is the recipe's instruction to roll the dough into ovals, cut through the middle, and plait at the ends— a description that invites curiosity and frustration alike. While perfecting the shaping method proves elusive, the key takeaway remains: tradition is honored throughout the baking process.
Once the shortbread is shaped, it is pricked with a fork—a technique that ensures even baking—before being slid into an oven preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. As it bakes for approximately 35 minutes, the anticipation builds not only for the taste but for the historical significance behind this specific pastry.