Fish-Shaped Butter Cookies (from The Cat Returns)

Inspired by the beloved anime 'The Cat Returns' and the famous 'MYNT' bakery, these adorable fish-shaped butter cookies are perfect for a fun baking project. Adjust the texture to your liking for a delightful homemade treat, but remember, these are for humans, not for real feline friends!

Instructions

1. 1.

   In a large bowl, cream the room temperature unsalted butter with a whisk until it's light and fluffy.

   Time: 3 min
2. 2.

   Gradually add the granulated sugar to the creamed butter, mixing well until the gritty texture of the sugar disappears and the mixture is smooth.

   Time: 4 min
3. 3.

   Add the beaten egg to the butter-sugar mixture in 2-3 batches, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure it doesn't separate. Then, sift the cake flour directly into the bowl and mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

   Time: 5 min
4. 4.

   Form the dough into a square about 2 cm (approx. 0.8 inches) thick, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the freezer until it's almost firm (this usually takes about 30-45 minutes, but keep an eye on it).

   Time: 3 min
5. 5.

   Lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with cake flour. Roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 5 mm (approx. 0.2 inches). Use fish-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies.

   Time: 5 min
6. 6.

   Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

   Time: 15 min