Florentines are what I’ll label as “fancy” cookies from the Bouchon Bakery book. While Thomas Keller’s cookie offerings primarily focus on American classics and interpretations of childhood favorites, florentines are more complex both in execution and flavor.

Even man’s best friend gets treats at Bouchon Bakery. I remember on one of my visits, at the counter there was a glass jar filled with dog bones made using foie gras, quite luxurious before the ban of the ingredient in 2012. Chicken liver is the replacement, according to the recipe in the book.

After a couple of weeks of more involved cookies, we get back to the basics with this shortbread recipe. Just five pantry staples: butter, sugar, flour, vanilla and salt. At first I was underwhelmed with the idea of doing this recipe. It didn’t seem that interesting but after consuming more than my fair share of cookies, this recipe now sits very high up on my go-to list.