Savory Parmesan Shortbread Recipes

ROSEMARY PARMESAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Put the flour, sugar, rosemary, salt, and Parmesan into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the butter and pulse just until a soft dough forms; the dough should hold together when squeezed with your hands. If not, add the water and pulse until combined.
• Spread a large sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface and transfer the dough onto it. Using the plastic wrap as a guide, form the dough into a loose log along 1 edge of the long side of the sheet. Roll the dough log, twisting the plastic gathered at the ends in opposite directions until the log is tight and compact, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Slice the dough log into 1/3-inch thick slices and arrange on the lined sheets, about 1-inch apart. Bake until the edges are just beginning to brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Cool the shortbread on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store the shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to serve.

PARMESAN SHORTBREAD WITH FENNEL AND SEA SALT

Steps:

• Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a medium bowl on low speed until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add powdered sugar, pepper, and kosher salt. Reduce speed to medium and beat, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Add flour and cheese. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat mixture just until dough comes together.
• Wrap dough in plastic and flatten into a rectangle. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Dough can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before continuing.
• Place fennel seeds in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Coarsely crush with a rolling pin or the bottom of a skillet. Alternatively, pulse in a spice mill until coarsely crushed. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in sea salt. Set fennel salt aside.
• Arrange a rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove plastic wrap from dough. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10x8" rectangle about 1/4" thick. Cut in thirds crosswise, then cut each third crosswise into 6 rectangles. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheet, spacing 1" apart. Brush cookies generously with oil, then sprinkle with fennel salt.
• Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until cookies are golden brown (flecks of cheese will be slightly darker), 20-24 minutes. Let cool on sheets for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

PARMESAN SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Line an 8 inch square pan with buttered foil.
• Beat all ingredients except flour in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until light and creamy, 3-4 minutes.
• Add flour and continue to mix at lowest speed until smooth dough forms.
• Scrape dough into pan and press evenly with the back of a spoon.
• Pierce dough randomly with a floured fork.
• Bake 35 minutes until firm.
• Let cool slightly then invert pan over your cutting board.
• Remove the foil and cut the shortbread into 2 inch squares.

SAVORY PARMESAN SHORTBREAD ROUNDS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350*.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix flour, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper in food processor.
• Add butter, and using pulse, process until dough begins to come together.
• Gather dough into a ball.
• Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 12-inch log.
• Cut each log into 1-inch pieces.
• Roll each piece into a ball and arrange on baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Press each ball into 2-inch diameter rounds.
• Sprinkle remaining 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese over.
• Bake shortbread rounds until tops are dry and bottoms are golden brown; about 20 minutes.
• Transfer rounds to rack and cool completely.
• NOTE: Can be made 1 week ahead and stored in airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 1 month.