This is a sponsored post on behalf of United Dairy Industry of Michigan. How long it takes: about an hour but that includes 30 minutes chilling time Equipment you’ll need: mixer, baking sheet, parchment paper Servings: makes 40 cookies, more or less Today I’m bringing you more butter love with one of my favorite types of cookies — shortbread. It might have a little to do with how easy these cookies are to make (SO easy), but it also has a lot to do with the rich buttery taste and the melt-in-your-mouth texture. I really just adore shortbread. I’ve made a lot of fun versions, some even with cream cheese.
Why You’ll Love Slice-and-Bake Cookies
Make the dough ahead of time. These shortbread cookies are slice-and-bake cookies. Simply put, you can whip up a batch of the dough, form it into a log, and throw it in the fridge or freezer. I have a bunch of these convenient slice and bake cookie recipes. Bake the cookies when you need them. When you happen to have unexpected guests, all you need to do is slice off what you need, stick them in the oven and voila! Fresh cookies. Everyone will think you’re amazing. And you are!
About These Shortbread Cookies
A simple list of ingredients (butter! flour! sugar! salt!) really lets the flavors of both the butter and the peppermint shine. Peppermint shortbread cookies are great with a cup of coffee or tea. Who knows? Santa might even dig a few with his milk.
What You’ll need
Butter: Use good-quality unsalted butter for these cookies. Make sure it’s softened or at room temperature. Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Because this sugar is so fine, the cookies just melt in your mouth. All-Purpose Flour: I haven’t tried whole wheat flour for these cookies because they just aren’t suited for the hearty quality of whole wheat. Pure Vanilla Extract: This baker’s friend really enhances the flavor of the cookie dough. Salt: Keeps the cookies from tasting flat. Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips: These chips are really the star of the show here. Keep reading for substitutions you can make.
How To Make Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until creamy and smooth. Add the flour and mix just until blended. Fold in the peppermint chips. Now I realize that not everyone has a stand mixer (or it’s stored in the basement and you don’t feel like hauling it out). You can make the cookie dough with a good hand mixer or even by hand. You’ll probably have to stir the flour in by hand anyways because the dough gets pretty stiff. On a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper, form a nice even log, about 12 to 14 inches long (or two logs, 6 to 7 inches long). Wrap the paper around the dough and freeze it for thirty minutes. Meanwhile, get your oven preheating. After thirty minutes, remove the dough log from the freezer, unwrap it, and slice it into quarter-inch slices. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and bake them.
Make It Your Own
Like mint with chocolate? I love those thin mint Girl Scout cookies, don’t you? Try drizzling these peppermint cookies with melted chocolate chocolate chips. Or, if you love the peppermint/chocolate connection, check out these peppermint chocolate sugar cookies. They are the easiest cut-out cookies to roll out. Can’t find Andes Peppermint Chips? Try their Creme de Menthe chips or substitute English toffee chips.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Baked cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to a week in a tightly covered container or in the freezer for up to a month. Make sure they are completely cool before covering. Unbaked cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to a month, wrapped thoroughly. To bake, remove log from freezer and allow to warm up for a half hour or so. Slice and bake as directed. Disclosure: This post is a collaboration with United Dairy Industry of Michigan. I was paid to develop and photograph this recipe but my love for butter is 100% the real thing. Quick-Start Guide!
