Santa, I hope you like shortbread.
I must admit, the jolly old man was going to get Oreos this year. But when Dillon asked to make cookies for Santa (…and Frosty?) my motherly guilt kicked in.
We decided on sweet, buttery shortbread. My recipe uses regular sugar instead of confectioners sugar, which is what you’ll find in most shortbread cookies. I also use self-rising flour to lighten the texture. These ingredients yield a more tender and flaky cookie, similar to Walker’s. Mmm…
Whenever I make cookies that require concentration rolling & cutting, I like to split the workload up into 2 days. Ah, time management at its best…
Day 1- Make the dough. Chill for at least 30 minutes- overnight.
Day 2- Roll & Cut.
Roll the dough to about 1/4 ” thick. Do this between 2 sheets of floured parchment. Plastic wrap will work too.
Find some cookie cutters and get to work! I used mini Christmas ones by the way…
If at anytime the dough starts to soften (and it will), pop it back into the fridge to chill and then start again.
Prior to baking, freeze the shaped dough on a lined cookie sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps to keep its shape when it hits the hot oven.
Bake at 300 F for about 20 minutes. They should be golden, but not too brown.
Lightly dust with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Enjoy…
* Shortbread requires only a few ingredients; butter, flour & sugar. It’s best to seek out good quality products for maximum flavor. You will definitely taste the difference!
- 1¼ c. self-rising flour*
- 1 stick (8 tbsp.) unsalted butter
- ⅓ c. sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. confectioners sugar for dusting
- Preheat your oven to 300 F. Line 1 or 2 cookie trays with parchment paper.
- Place the butter, sugar and vanilla into a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until light and fluffy. You can also use a stand or hand held mixer for this.
- Sift the flour into the food processor.
- Run the machine until the dough comes together. It should be a little crumbly and soft, but not sticky. Using your hands, bring the dough together to form a ball.
- Flatten the dough into a disk and cover in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes- overnight.
- Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Do this between 2 pieces of floured parchment paper. Floured plastic wrap will work too.
- To keep them from sticking, dip the cookie cutters in flour and press into the dough. If the dough begins to soften, place it back into the fridge to chill, and then start again.
- Using an offset spatula or butter knife, transfer the cookies onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Place in the freezer for at least 5 minutes prior to baking. This will help to keep its shape before going into the oven.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Rotate the pans halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the tray. Transfer to a wire rack.
- When the cookies are completely cool, dust with powdered sugar.
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Lucky Santa. They look deliciously festive.
Lucky yes… but at the rate we’ve been eating these things, he might be getting a sandwich! Thanks Anne!
oh wow how cute! These look delicious! Might have to add them to my christmas cookie list!!
Awww thanks Katy!!! Your Christmas cookies are still the best. You’re the only one who can make those darn gingerbreads!!!
Emilie, they’re gorgeous!! Thanks for the tip about chilling the shapes before baking – I always struggle with Christmas shortbread, especially in the middle of our hot summer! xx
Thanks Celia! Oh, I know…these cookies tend to soften quickly! Must be all that yummy butter
What a great idea to use self-rising flour, these wee cookies must be so fluffy and yummy! Have a wonderful Christmas!!! xx
Hey Barb! Yeah, you wouldn’t believe what a difference it makes to use self- rising flour instead of regular all purpose. It gives them just the right amount of lift without making them cakey! Merry Christmas to you too!! Xx
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