Shortbread Cookies

@DeliciouslyInspired.com-2

This cookie was inspired by a cookbook that a coworker gave me to borrow when she discovered I enjoyed Anne of Green Gables I have enjoyed reading this book and trying a few of the recipes.  Mom and I had fun during Thanksgiving as we made Diana Barry’s Favorite Raspberry Cordial.  Today I took the recipe for Mrs. Irving’s Delicious Shortbread and put my own spin on it.

I was interested in this recipe for several reasons – 

  1. My daughter (yes – I’m shamelessly plugging her site – the workout mama) has a food sensitivity to eggs so it peeked my interest when I saw no eggs were needed.
  2. The cookie recipe only had 5 ingredients.
  3. There was no chill time needed for the dough before rolling and cutting out.
  4. The cookbook is written by the granddaughter of Lucy Maud Montgomery (the author of Anne)

This recipe is a keeper.  Here is what I love about it….

  1. It worked up well using White Spelt Flour.  I will try next time using Gluten Free Flour.
  2. It rolled out so very easy – happiness.
  3. It is easy to add extra ingredients in.  I added 2 fresh vanilla beans into dough.
  4. They are good with or without frosting.
  5. My husband thought they were delicious.

Shortcake Cookies
Yields 24
A cookie that is easily cut out and doesn't require eggs
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. Cookie
  2. 1 cup butter, softened
  3. 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
  4. 2 cups of flour (your choice) - I used White Spelt Flour
  5. A pinch of salt (1/8 tsp of salt)
  6. 1/4 tsp baking powder
  7. Frosting
  8. 2 Tbsp of meringue powder
  9. 1/4 cup of water
  10. 2 cups of powdered sugar
  11. Sprinkles/Decorations
Instructions
  1. Cookies
  2. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. 2. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  4. 3. Cream the butter. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy, scraping sides often.
  5. 4. Add the vanilla bean and incorporate.
  6. 5. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt and baking powder together.
  7. 6. Slowly add flour mixture into butter mixture until well mixed.
  8. 7. Dust clean, flat surface and rolling pin with flour. Pat cookie dough into a circle.
  9. 8. Roll out to 1/4 inch and cut into desired shapes. Using a spatula place on cookie sheet.
  10. 9. Prick each cookie twice with a fork. Sprinkle sugar on top, if desired.
  11. 10. Bake for 18-25 minutes - will be dependent on oven until light brown around edges.
  12. 11. Remove from cookie sheet onto cooling rack.
  13. 12. Cookies can be eaten as they are or decorated with frosting and sprinkles.
  14. Meringue Frosting - Note this will make enough for several batches of these cookies.
  15. 1. Place water and meringue powder in small food processor or mixer.
  16. 2. Whip until light peaks form.
  17. 3. Sift sugar. Add in a little at a time, scraping side.
  18. 4. Frosting can be spread on with a knife or using a pastry bag.
  19. 5. Add sprinkles, etc.
Notes
  1. Meringue Frosting (Royal Icing) spreads very smooth and is easy to work with. It will harden and can be time sensitive.
Adapted from The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
 I chose to keep the decorating simple on my shortbread cookies – I used edible glitter, white candy beads, and a little red sugar but the possibilities are endless.  If there is extra royal icing, it can be frozen for up to a month – Read More

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I’ll be returning the book to its rightful owner along with a couple of the decorated shortcake cookies as a simple thank you.  It’s amazing when we listen with our hearts what we can lend or give to another to make their heart sing.  

Looking for other desserts to make this holiday season.  Here are a few ideas (you can always give desserts a holiday theme with color and sprinkles.)

Frosted Sugar Cookies

Christmas Cupcakes

Almond Joy Bites

Need a laugh – Here you go.

 

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Sprinkled Popcorn Treat

Sprinkled Popcorn Treat

I saw this idea and had to try it.  Here was my list of Whys?

  • I could incorporate organic popcorn
  • I could incorporate gluten free pretzels
  • I could incorporate raw nuts of my choice
  • There was chocolate
  • It was easy and a no bake recipe
  • The finished product shouted FUN!
  • And the number 1 reason – There were sprinkles involved.  

So I went to my sprinkle drawer – don’t judge!  You might be surprised to know how many times sprinkles has allowed me to look more together than I felt on a given day.  

The recipe below is basic and add-ins could definitely be incorporated:  mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, dried fruit cut up, shredded coconut, cinnamon, etc.  But I wanted to keep mine in a less sweet mode so I stuck to 5 ingredients.

Sprinkled Popcorn Treat
A very easy treat with a touch of sweetness that can incorporate healthier ingredients.
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Ingredients
  1. Popped Organic Popcorn
  2. Raw Nuts, your choice (I used pecans)
  3. Gluten Free Pretzels, broke in small pieces
  4. White Chocolate Chips
  5. Sprinkles
  6. (There are no measurements - you decide how much of each ingredient you want to use)
Instructions
  1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place popcorn, pretzels, nuts on top of parchment paper.
  3. Place white chocolate chips in microwavable bowl and heat in 20-30 second intervals, stirring each time until smooth.
  4. Drizzle white chocolate using a spoon over the mixture on cookie sheet. (Note: if you would like a little more sweetness you can dip one side of some of the nuts or pretzels into white chocolate before you drizzle.)
  5. Then immediately (while chocolate is still warm) shake sprinkles on top, especially where the chocolate landed on the mixture.
  6. Place in freezer or refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  7. Place mixture in bowl or individual bags for gifts and Enjoy!
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
This recipe would make a great contribution to a pot luck, hostess gift, neighbor gift, thinking of you gift, stocking stuffer.  Plus the ideas for coordinating with holidays and parties are endless.

I am adding this recipe to one my preschool grandchildren can help with in the kitchen. 

You may be asking why I choice the colors of sprinkle I did.  Well – I had one container that had a little of each color and this allowed me to empty the container – my contribution to downsizing a bit.

What would your selection of ingredients be if you made this?

 

 

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Simple and Beautiful Tea Lights

I was at a work event and the table decorations caught my attention.  This would be very pretty in reds and greens for the holidays.  The light was from a battery operated tea light at the bottom of a candle holder with colored stones on top.

Centerpiece - Blue Light1

 
Blue Centerpiece and Cupcake

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