Oh how I loved Christmas when I was a child. My mother used to bake us some lovely treats for the occasion. Date slices, War Cake, Feather Squares and cut out shortbread biscuits/cookies. She would decorate the shortbreads with icing and bits of candied cherry. Oh my but they tasted just lovely. I have been on the look out ever since for a homemade shortbread that tastes as good as the memory of those. I think I found it!
I adapted this recipe from one I found on the Martha Stewart cooking site, called Holiday Shortbread Cookies. They are a slice and bake cookie. I like slice and bake cookies. You can bake just as many as you like, or you can freeze the dough to bake them whenever.
Once you have the dough made and chilled, they are at the ready to slice and bake at your baking whim. They are simple. They are delicious. At least that has always been my experience.
I shaped these into a square edged log before chilling and rolling. Then I divided the log in two and rolled the edges of each log in a different coloured sanding sugar. Red and Green. Very festive. I quite like the squarish edges.
They are not fancy, but boy oh boy are they ever tasty. If you wanted to you could just leave them plain and then ice/decorate them after they are baked and cooled. Vanilla Buttercream with a spot of candied glace cherry would be lovely. I took one bite and I was a child again. These were, to put it simply . . . gorgeous. But I'd expect no less from Martha.
*Slice & Bake Shortbread Cookies*
Makes 24
Cream the sugar and butter together until well combined. Add the flour and salt and beat together just to combine. Shape into a roll, 8 inches in length. You can keep it round or square it off. Wrap well and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour until firm (You can freeze for up to one month if desired.)
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F. gas mark 4. Line two baking sheets with baking paper. Place sugar crystals on a plate. I cut my roll in half crosswise so that I had two rolls. One roll I rolled in red sugar crystals, pressing them in all around. The other I rolled in green sugar crystals, pressing them in all around Cut each roll into 1/4 inch thick slices. If you need to reroll the edges do so. Place onto the prepared baking sheets leaving a bit of space in between each.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through the baking. They should be set and just beginning to brown around the edges. Let sit on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container.
I am going to bake some more of these for gifting I think. They were quick and easy to make and quite pretty in a simple way when done. Oh and most importantly, they were delicious. I can think of a few people who would enjoy a gift of these! I highly recommend you give them a go! Bon Appetit!
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