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BAKING | Shortbread Cookies

Tuesday, December 24

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Simple ingredients, and this beautiful snowflake pan (<- linked here or in the recipe below), made my first attempt at baking shortbread cookies extra delightful.

I made the "classic" shortbread cookies using the recipe booklet that came with the stoneware pan. Since the recipe was so easy and turned out quite delicious, I'm now looking forward to trying some of the other fun flavors included in the booklet...ginger, lemon, chocolate, orange spice and a nut option! 



These shortbread cookies are what inspired me to try another shortbread cookie recipe for the pétit Ã‰coliers I shared the other day.

I can't decide which recipe I love better but what I do love about this one is that it requires less ingredients, leaving you with nine cookies total. And yum..those nine cookies are delicious.
The recipe is so easy it'd be a cinch to whip up multiple batches too. 

I sure hope you'll try them. I think you'll love'em.
The pan is pretty fancy but I look at it as an heirloom for a classic cookie I know I'll be making for years to come.

Pssst...I'm on the hunt for a Valentine version of this pan now...but have only come across this heart shaped pan so far. If you see any out there, please let me know.




shortbread, cookies, christmas, snowflakes, easy, classic
Yield: 9 pan cookies or 1 dozen cut-out cookies
Author:

Classic Shortbread Cookies

Classic Shortbread Cookies

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M
A delicious and easy shortbread cookie recipe resulting in all of the buttery, crumbly goodness the classic shortbread cookies are known for.

ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar, unsifted
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup flour

instructions:

How to cook Classic Shortbread Cookies

  1. Preheat oven to 325º
  2. Cream butter until light and fluffy.
  3. Cream in powdered sugar, followed by vanilla.
  4. Add flour, mix until combined.
  5. Turn dough onto un-floured surface and knead until smooth.
IF USING A DECORATIVE PAN
  1. Spray shortbread pan lightly with baking spray.
  2. Press dough into pan firmly, ensuring even placement in pan.
  3. Use palm of hand to press firmly around edges and center as a final step. (this ensures a prominent impression on cookies from shortbread pan.
  4. Prick entire surface with fork - without touching bottom of pan.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly browned. (turn pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning).
  6. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes on cooling rack.
  7. Loosen edges with a knife.
  8. Place cutting board on top of pan. Flip pan and cutting board to invert cookies onto board. Lift pan to release cookies. (If cookies do not come right out, tap edge of pan).
  9. Cut shortbread with sharp knife while it's still warm.
  10. Store in airtight container.
WITHOUT A DECORATIVE PAN
  1. Place dough on parchment lined cookie sheet.
  2. Roll dough to square or rectangular shape with 1/4 inch thickness
  3. Prick entire surface with fork - without touching cookie sheet underneath.
  4. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and golden.
  5. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-8 minutes on cooling rack.
  6. Cut shortbread into desired shapes with sharp knife while it's still warm. 
  7. Store in airtight container.
CUT OUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES
  1. Place dough on parchment lined cookie sheet.
  2. Roll dough to  1/4 inch thickness
  3. Prick entire surface with fork - without touching cookie sheet underneath.
  4. Create shapes using  cookie cutters.
  5. Ensure 2 inch spacing between cookies.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and golden.
  7. Remove from oven and cool completely on cooling rack.
  8. Store in airtight container.

Baking Tools:


Did you make this recipe?
Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe
Created using The Recipes Generator





PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

Speaking of Instagram, if you aren't following me over there, today you missed the gingerbread house treat bags I made, a hot cocoa recipe, and some toffee I whipped up. Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a peek at my hot cocoa bar, and a couple of wonderful gift ideas Ella and I packaged up together today.

KEEPING IT REAL
I am on sugar overload with all of the sweets I've been baking...and eating.
I spontanesouly whipped up a batch of toffee last night just because I saw a recipe
posted on Instagram. And yum. It's delicious. I need to share that recipe too! *wink*
All of these sweets have me really looking forward to setting some new goals after the holidays.

BAKING | Chocolate Topped Shortbread Cookies (Homemade Pétit Écoliers)

Wednesday, December 18


Looking for a fancy cookie without a lot of fuss?
This. This is the one you want. 
Inspired by my recent attempt at easy, delicious shortbread cookies, I decided to try my hand at a homemade version of French pétit Écoliers.
My initial thought was to create a shortbread cookie and marry it with a beautiful molded piece of chocolate. Turns out, I couldn't find beautiful chocolate molds - or at least the ones I envisioned in my head. 

So I chose to use a soap mold I found and ordered a set of oval cookie cutters to match and the rest is cookie history. 
I'm thrilled it actually worked. I had some doubts but that didn't stop me from trying.
I had to do a little tweaking with the cookie cutter (see "TIP" on the recipe card), otherwise, they were a piece of cake...errr...cookie. *wink*


You start with making your chocolates so they can be ready to place on your slightly cooled but warm-enough-to-melt-chocolate-a-tee-tiny-bit baked cookies. (that was a mouthful - and these cookies will be too). *wink*

These cookies will make a real impression (pun intended), especially if you package them up really cute like I did here. FREE printable Shortbread Cookie gift label set linked below.

The images below will give you a visual of the step-by-step process and then the recipe is below, hopefully giving you the nudge to try them yourself. 













Chocolate Topped Shortbread Cookies (Homemade Pétit Écoliers)

Chocolate Topped Shortbread Cookies (Homemade Pétit Écoliers)

Yield: 24 cookies
Author:
prep time: 2 hourcook time: total time: 2 H

ingredients:

    INGREDIENTS FOR MOLDED CHOCOLATE
    • 2 - 12oz. bags semi sweet chocolate chips
    INGREDIENTS FOR SHORTBREAD COOKIES
    • 1 cup butter, room temperature
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 + 1/4 cups all purpose flour
    • 2 TBSP pure vanilla
    • Special Tools:
    • Oval Chocolate Molds
    • Oval Cookie Cutters - you'll want to use the largest oval from this set
    • TIP: Squeeze to adjust the cookie cutter to be more elongated - using your chocolate mold as a guide. The shape of your chocolate and cookie should match...leaving a perfect 1/4 inch edge of cookies showing after molded chocolate has been placed.

    instructions:

    How to cook Chocolate Topped Shortbread Cookies (Homemade Pétit Écoliers)

    CHOCOLATE TOPPERS
    1. Melt chocolate, 1 bag at a time  using microwave or double boiler. 
    2. Pour 1 TBSP of melted chocolate into mold cavities. 
    3. Allow to cool until set and firm.
    4. Pop out and set aside.
    5. Repeat with 2nd bag of chocolate.
    SHORTBREAD COOKIES
    1. Preheat oven to 325º.
    2. Cream butter and powdered sugar using stand mixer on medium to high speed until light and fluffy.
    3. Scrape down sides of bowl.
    4. Turn mixer on low and add flour to butter mixture, just until combined.
    5. Scrape down sides of bowl.
    6. Add vanilla. Mix until combined.
    7. Place dough on lightly floured surface.
    8. Use rolling pin to rolllout the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
    9. Use oval cookie cutter to cut out 24 cookies.
    10. Place cut out cookies on parchment lined cookie sheet, 1/2 inch apart.
    11. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown.
    12. Remove from oven.
    13. Allow to cool 3 minutes - you want them warm but not hot so as not to completely compromise your molded chocolate.
    14. Gently set prepared chocolate pieces onto each warm cookie.
    15. The warmth from the cookies will melt the chocolate enough to beautifully adhere it to the cookies.
    16. TIP: If your cookies are too cool and chocolate does not adhere, simply add a small amount of melted chocolate to cookie as a glue to secure the chocolate.
    17. Allow to set and then package up for gift giving or store in airtight container.
    shortbread, cookies, Petit Ecoliers, Christmas baking, molded chocolate

    Did you make this recipe?
    Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe
    Created using The Recipes Generator
    Sure hope you'll try these, friends.
    They are simply delightful.

    And don't forget to grab the FREE printable Chocolate Topped Shortbread Cookie Gift Tags to go with your pretty cookies.






    PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
    Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

    KEEPING IT REAL 
    I thought I had it all together this year with Christmas and now all of a sudden I'm realizing it's exactly one week away and I've still got a few more gifts to get. Eeks!

    GIFT IDEA | Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

    Thursday, December 5


    Pecan Praline Dessert Topping...
    Let that sink in for a minute.

    Now let me help you dream up some ways to incorporate this into your life.
    Think pound cakes, ice cream, apples, pancakes, right off the spoon and would
    just look at how good it looks on cheesecake.  *gasp*


    I shared this delicious recipe years ago and knew it deserved to be shared again.
    It's gift-giving season after all and this easy-to-make, delicious treat is something everyone will love.

    You should see it on cheesecake! Talk about upleveling your desserts!? (scroll down for the pic).

    Enjoy the updated gift tags, recipe and pictures in this post and then be sure to PIN THIS to your "Gift Ideas" Pinterest board.








    You need this in you life.
    It's delicious...just trust me on this.



    Pecan, Praline, Dessert, Gift, Jar, Topping
    Yield: Makes 4-6 Jars
    Author:
    Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

    Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

    prep time: 5 Mcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 20 M
    This easy-to-make delicious dessert topping can be enjoyed on cheesecake, pound cake, apple slices, pancakes and ice cream. You'll want to gift jars of this to your favorite people.

    ingredients:

    • 1 + 1/4 cups chopped pecans
    • 7 TBSP butter
    • 1 + 1/2 cups light brown sugar
    • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
    • 2/3 cup evaporated milk

    instructions:

    How to cook Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

    1. Melt butter over low heat in saucepan; add pecans.
    2. Stir until light brown and the aroma of lightly toasted pecans fills your kitchen.
    3. Add brown sugar and corn syrup.
    4. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
    5. Remove from heat and stir in evaporated milk.
    6. Serve warm over ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, cookies, apples or pancakes.
    7. Store in refrigerator.
    8. Reheat in microwave for 15 seconds.
    9. SEE GIFT GIVING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

    NOTES:

    FOR GIFT GIVING Pour into prepared, sterilized jars with airtight lids. Add cute gifts tags - linked below Store in refrigerator.
    Did you make this recipe?
    Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe
    Created using The Recipes Generator

    STYLING | Neutral + Natural Gift Wrapping Ideas

    Tuesday, December 3



    I've got 4 gifts wrapped and under the tree my friends!
    That's a feat for me with it only being the third day of December.

    Admittedly, I'm usually wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve...always with regret for not doing it sooner so I could enjoy all of the pretty details for more than 8-10 hours.

    I promised myself to break that unintentional tradition this year and so far so good.

    Along with my rolls of Kraft paper and some fresh eucalyptus, I put together a tray of pretty ribbons, tags, strings, twine, yarn, dried oranges, scissors and tape. Having the supplies gathered together makes it really easy, and convenient, to quickly wrap additional gifts leading up to Christmas.


    My gift wrapping usually always starts with either brown kraft or white wrapping paper.
    I like to keep it pretty neutral to allow the pretty ribbons, fabrics, greenery and tags to be the stars of the "gift wrapping show". I'm using dried oranges again from last year's Christmas decor and gift wrapping. I love them.

    TIP: I also love spritzing the dried oranges with orange and clove essential oils. Makes them deliciously fragrant and adds another special element to the gift giving experience.

    This year, my gifts will be adorned with an extra special detail...
    ...these beautiful "fa-la-la-la-la" gift tags hand-lettered by my sweet friend Aedriel.
    She collaborated with Sugar Paper LA to create some gorgeous holiday pretties for Target.
    These tags are even more gorgeous in real life because the card stock is nice and thick and
    the finish of the lettering mimics letterpress. I'm completely smitten.



    This neutral style of gift wrapping reaches far beyond Christmas too. 
    The combination of cotton lace, sheer ribbon and fresh eucalyptus makes it versatile enough for a wedding birthday, or any other special occasion gift. 

    I'll leave you to soak in the rest of the gift wrapping details. 
    Look for the resource list at the bottom to find some of the pretties I'm using this year. 












    I love gift wrapping.
    If you aren't excited about it, I hope this inspires you.
    Adding some fresh, natural elements to your gift wrapping is easy, beautiful and fun!
    And the receiver will adore and appreciate the extra effort.

    Love you guys!!

    PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.
    Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.


    RESOURCES
    Wide Cotton Lace Ribbon - linked something similar
    Dried Oranges
    Fresh Eucalyptus - Trader Joe's

    KEEPING IT REAL
    Don't leave your dried oranges out if you have animals.
    I caught my dog, Hamilton, devouring the oranges right off the packages.
    But he's 18 years old...so maybe your pets won't be intrigued in the least. *wink*
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