Spicy Surprise Shortbread Cookies

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3.Add the vanilla extract, salt, and cayenne pepper to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.

4.Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

5.Divide the dough into two equal portions. Take one portion and flatten it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

6.While the dough is chilling, prepare the hot sauce filling. In a small bowl, mix the hot sauce with a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick if desired.

7.Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.

8.Using a round cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough and place half of them on the prepared baking sheet.

9.On each of the circles on the baking sheet, place a small dollop (about 1/2 teaspoon) of the hot sauce filling in the center.

10.Take the remaining circles of dough and place them on top of the filled circles, gently pressing the edges to seal them. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch.

11.Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

12.Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.