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Simply Wanderfull
These melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies have been a family favourite since I can remember!
Gram-Gram’s Shortbread cookies are always on the holiday dessert table! This classic recipe carries with it the warmth of countless family gatherings and the irresistible aroma of buttery perfection. Made with only 4 simple ingredients it is hard to imagine that these little bites could be so satisfying.
Serve these delightful treats with a pot of tea on a cold cozy day and enjoy!
![shortbread-cookies](https://v1paba.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/405156700_1051484265889006_6436737338180306533_n-1024x577.jpg)
grandma's tips & tricks
Yes these shortbread cookies are only made with 4 ingredients however there are some rules, tips & tricks to making these delicious cookies.
- Use Good Butter: You must used good butter! Since butter is your main ingredient you must use the BEST! See below for more on the best butter to use if you live in the USA or Canada!
- More About Butter: The butter MUST be at room temperature. You cannot use cold butter to make a shortbread cookie. Grandma keeps a pound of butter on the counter for 3 days before making them! Why 3 days I have no idea, lol. I believe overnight is suffice.
- Baking times: Baking these particular cookies takes time. The oven is set low to 320 degrees and the cookies take approximately 40 minutes to bake depending on the oven. The cookies are done when they get a slightly golden shade around the edges.
- Grandma loves to slice a maraschino cherry in half and place it in the middle of each cookie. She also likes to use a small dollop of mint jam in the middle of the cookies. The contrasting red & green is so pretty for Christmas.
Best Butter Brands For Baking:
Living on a border town in Canada and across from the USA you discover that the ingredients that you find in Canada may not be available in the United States and vice versa! So let’s talk Butter! Here is a list of popular butter brands to use if you live in Canada or if you live in the United States:
USA Butter Brands:
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Land O’Lakes:
- Land O’Lakes is a popular brand known for its high-quality butter. Many bakers prefer the unsalted version to have better control over the salt content in their recipes.
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Kerrygold:
- Kerrygold is renowned for its rich and creamy grass-fed butter. The higher fat content contributes to a luxurious texture in baked goods.
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Plugrá:
- Plugrá is a European-style butter with a slightly higher butterfat content than regular American butters. It’s known for enhancing the flavor and texture of baked goods. Also, because I love Julia Child, I must say that this was her favourite butter brand and we all know that Julia LOVED butter!
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Organic Valley:
- If you prefer organic options, Organic Valley offers high-quality organic butter that can be used in baking.
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Challenge Butter:
- Challenge Butter is often recommended by professional bakers for its consistent quality and flavor. It comes in both salted and unsalted varieties.
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Straus Family Creamery:
- Straus is known for its organic, European-style butter. It has a higher fat content and is popular among bakers for its rich flavor.
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Horizon Organic:
- Horizon Organic offers organic butter suitable for baking, providing a creamy and consistent result.
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President Butter:
- President Butter is a European-style butter that’s creamier due to its higher fat content. It’s often used in baking for its rich flavour.
Canadian Butter Brands:
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Lactantia:
- Lactantia is a well-known Canadian brand that offers high-quality butter. It’s available in salted and unsalted varieties, providing versatility in baking.
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Gay Lea:
- Gay Lea is a cooperative of Canadian dairy farmers, and their butter is often praised for its creamy texture and rich flavor. They offer both salted and unsalted versions.
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Stirling Creamery:
- Stirling Creamery is known for its premium butter, including European-style butter with a higher butterfat content. This can contribute to a luxurious texture in shortbread cookies.
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Avalon Dairy:
- Avalon Dairy is a local dairy brand known for its organic dairy products. Their organic butter can be a good choice for those who prefer organic ingredients.
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President’s Choice (PC) Butter:
- President’s Choice, a brand associated with Loblaws grocery stores, offers butter that is commonly used by Canadian home bakers. They provide both salted and unsalted varieties.
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Beatrice:
- Beatrice is a Canadian dairy brand that produces butter suitable for baking. It’s available in most grocery stores across the country.
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Organic Meadow:
- For those who prefer organic options, Organic Meadow offers organic butter that can be used in various baking recipes, including shortbread cookies.
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Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Butter, softened and room temperature
- 1 cup Icing sugar
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 3 cups Flour
- Maraschino Cherry, Diced
- Mint Jam
Instructions:
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Preheat oven: 320 degrees.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, blend the butter using an electric mixer.
Sift the following ingredients into the bowl:
Icing sugar, cornstarch, flour
Blend with the mixer until a dough forms. Using a spatula, hand mix into a round dough.
Using your hands, grab approximately 1 tbsp. of batter and roll it into a ball. Place on the baking sheet leaving some distance between the next cookie. Continue this process until the baking sheet is full.
Using a cup, flatten each cookie out to 1/2 inch thick. Place a slice of the cherry onto the middle of the cookie.
Bake for 40 minutes or until the cookie is slightly golden around the edges. Cool before handling.
![shortbread-recipe](https://v1paba.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/405156700_1051484265889006_6436737338180306533_n-1-768x432.jpg)
Other Great Dessert Recipes
Make Shortbreads with Grandma here!
![shortbread-recipe](https://v1paba.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/405156700_1051484265889006_6436737338180306533_n-1-300x300.jpg)
Grandma's Best Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Butter, softened and room temperature
- 1 cup Icing sugar
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 3 cups Flour
- Maraschino Cherry, Diced
- Mint Jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 320 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.In a large bowl, blend the butter using an electric mixer. Sift the following ingredients into the bowl:Icing sugar, cornstarch, flourBlend with the mixer until a dough forms. Using a spatula, hand mix into a round dough. Using your hands, grab approximately 1 tbsp. of batter and roll it into a ball. Place on the baking sheet leaving some distance between the next cookie. Continue this process until the baking sheet is full.Using a cup, flatten each cookie out to 1/2 inch thick. Place a slice of the cherry onto the middle of the cookie.Bake for 40 minutes or until the cookie is slightly golden around the edges. Cool before handling.
Grab a Tea and enjoy your cookies!
I hope that you enjoy this recipe for my mom’s shortbread cookies! We have had so many wonderful memories and talks enjoying and baking these cookies together as a family!
I hope that her recipe would bring happiness in your kitchen and your families also!Â
Feel free to comment or ask any questions! Would love to hear your feedback! Happy Baking!