Vermont Maple Shortbread Recipes

CANADIAN MAPLE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Maple butter: In a small saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a boil and reduce by half (this should take about 15 minutes) Remove from heat and let it stand at room temp.
• When it is cool, add the butter and stir or gently whisk until well blended.
• Place in frigde until firm.
• This makes about 3/4 cup.
• Shortbread: In a food processor or blender, combine the maple butter, flour and salt.
• Use the pulse setting to combine well the ingredients.
• Take it out of the blender/food processor and shape it into a ball.
• Flatten it to a disc shape.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Preheat oven to 350F and position rack to centre of oven.
• Remove dough from the fridge and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut dough into desired shapes (I use a maple leaf shaped cookie cutter... very Canadian, eh?) Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet and bake until slightly golden brown (about 10-15 min, depending on your oven).

VERMONT MAPLE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and maple flavoring. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in baking chips and pecans., Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. , For glaze, in a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, syrup and maple flavoring until smooth., Drizzle over cookies; let dry completely. Store between pieces of waxed paper in airtight containers.

MAPLE PECAN SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a mixer. Mix in the softened butter until a dough has formed. Press into an ungreased 8x8-inch baking dish, and prick with a fork.
• Bake the shortbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. While the shortbread is baking, beat the egg in a mixing bowl along with 1/3 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, and pecans. Pour the pecan mixture over the hot crust, and return to the oven. Continue baking until firmed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent sticking. Cool completely, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.

MAPLE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and put a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom in freezer to chill.
• Blend butter, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons maple sugar, and vanilla in a food processor just until smooth, about 30 seconds. Sift flour, cornstarch, and salt over butter mixture and pulse just until clumps form (about 8 pulses).
• Press evenly into chilled pan, then sprinkle evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons maple sugar. Prick all over with a fork and freeze 5 minutes.
• Bake in middle of oven until edges are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes and, while still warm, cut into 8 wedges. Cool completely before removing from pan.

MAPLE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat the butter and maple syrup together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Stir the flour and salt together in a separate bowl; gradually mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just incorporated. Form the mixture into walnut-sized balls; flatten gently and arrange onto a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.