Marbled Shortbread Cookies
[Vegan]

To Make the Plain Shortbread:

1. In a medium-sized bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the vegan butter and sugar together for 1 minute until pale and creamy.
2. Sift in the flour and salt. On low speed, add the vanilla and beat to form a dough. Use your hands to bring the mixture together into a large ball.
3. Wrap with plastic wrap and press it down to form a thick disc. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill and firm.

To Make the Chocolate Shortbread:

1. In the same medium-sized bowl, beat the vegan butter and sugar together for 1 minute until pale and creamy.
2. Sift in the flour, cacao powder, and salt. On low speed, beat to form a dough. Use your hands to bring the mixture together into a large ball.
3. Wrap with plastic wrap and press it down to form a thick disc. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill and firm.

To Bake and Assemble the Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 302°F and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Take the plain shortbread out of the refrigerator, leaving the chocolate one in there, unwrap it, and place on a rectangle sheet of parchment paper. Place the plastic wrap on top of the shortbread and roll to a 7 1/4-inch by 9 3/4-inch rectangle that’s 1/3-thick. Using the plastic wrap as a protective shield prevents the rolling pin from sticking to the dough.
3. Take the chocolate shortbread from the refrigerator and follow the same procedure as above. Carefully place the chocolate rectangle on top of the plain rectangle. Gently using the rolling pin, roll together so they stick.
4. Carefully roll the rectangles together like a Swiss roll to form a 8-inch long log. Use the parchment paper to help and Support to create a tight roll. Slice the log into 1/3-inch thick cookies and place on the baking trays 2 inches apart. Place back in the refrigerator to chill for a further hour. Bake for 13-15 minutes. They should be slightly golden on the outside. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.