Shortbread Cookies Prize Winning Recipes

UNCLE BILL'S WHIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, combine butter, flour, icing sugar and vanilla extract; mix until mixture is a smooth consistency.
• Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Spoon out dough onto parchment lined cookie sheets by teaspoonfuls or by tablespoons for larger cookies, spacing about 2 inches apart.
• Cut maraschino cherries into quarters and place one piece in the middle of each cookie, alternating with red and green cherries.
• Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until bottom of cookies are lightly browned, DO NOT OVERBAKE.
• Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes.
• Transfer onto wire racks to finish cooling.
• Store in a container with a lid and separate each layer with wax paper.
• NOTE: If you wish to add some flavor to the cookies, add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or almond extract.
• Use sprinkles, half an almond or half a cashew or chocolate to the top of the cookies before baking.
• A thumbprint in the cookie, filled with your choice of jam is very tasty.
• It has been suggested that the cookies be refrigerated for at least 1/2 hour before baking for a different texture.

SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a 3 by 1-inch finger-shaped cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• When the cookies are cool, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put 3 ounces of the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. (Don't trust your microwave timer; time it with your watch.) Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second increments until the chocolate is just melted. Add the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is smooth and slightly cooled; stirring makes it glossier.
• Drizzle 1/2 of each cookie with just enough chocolate to coat it.

PRIZE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Soften butter slightly, but do not allow to become oily.
• Stir in sugar, salt, nutmeg and egg yould with a wooden spoon.
• Add the flour, a little at a time, until mixture is too stiff to work with a spoon.
• Turn onto floured board and knead lightly, drawing in flour all the time until dough just begins to crack.
• Roll out to 1/4" thickness and cut as desired. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until delicately brown. Dough may be sprinkled with coloured sugar or sprinkles before baking if desired.

PRIZE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the mincemeat.
• Drop dough by teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from baking pans to cool on wire racks.

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add 3-3/4 cups flour; mix well. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead for 5 minutes, adding enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut into 3x1-in. strips. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick with fork. Bake until cookies are lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. Cool.