5 cups all-purpose flour
5 sticks butter, at room temperature
2 cups white sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

Note: Before you assemble your ingredients, place your bottom oven rack on the third (3rd) rung up from the oven's floor. This will prevent the bottom of the shortbread from browning. It should never brown either on the bottom or top. If it does, the flavor will change. You want the finished product to be the palest light-gold possible, having just a little more color than "white".

After repositioning your bottom rack, preheat oven to 350°F.

In one bowl combine butter, sugar and vanilla extract (mix well using hands).

In another bowl combine flour, baking soda and baking powder (I use a whisk for this).

Combine blended butter mixture with flour mixture (using hands works best)

Pat the dough onto an ungreased 13x9-inch baking sheet that has a rim going around it or else use an ungreased 13x9-inch baking dish. Lightly pat to evenly distribute dough.

Place baking sheet or dish onto bottom oven rack (which you earlier moved up 3 rungs). Rack placement is very important to keep dough from browning yet have it cook all the way through.

Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Then turn down heat to 300°F and bake 30 minutes more.

Don't add more time to the bake-time. It may not look done but it is.

Note: IMMEDIATELY AFTER REMOVING PAN FROM OVEN, CUT YOUR SHORTBREAD INTO SQUARES OF ANY SIZE, LIKE YOU WOULD DO WITH BROWNIES. DO NOT let the shortbread cool first or it will crumble when you try to slice through it. If you forget, just pop the pan back into the oven to briefly warm up the shortbread so it can be sliced.

This tastes even better the next day. If you are making this for a special occasion, try to make it at least 2 days ahead of time because the flavors will really mellow together. But it will still be great, even if you make it the night before.

Variation: This dough can also handle 12 oz. chocolate chips being added to it, or nuts, if you prefer.

Submitted by: Marilyn