These Pastel Shortbread Cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing with their soft, muted colors. They're perfect for springtime or any occasion where you want a touch of elegance in your sweet treats.

Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened. 1/2 cup powdered sugar. 2 cups all-purpose flour. 1/4 tsp salt. 1 tsp vanilla extract. Assorted pastel food coloring.

Instructions: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture, mixing until a dough forms. Divide the dough into separate portions for each pastel color you want to make. Gently knead in a few drops of pastel food coloring into each portion until the desired shades are achieved. Wrap each colored dough portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325F 165C. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each colored dough portion to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cookies are completely cool, you can optionally decorate them with additional pastel-colored icing or sprinkles. Enjoy these delightful pastel shortbread cookies!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes