Shortbread Cookie Recipes
Shortbreads are amongst the oldest sweet snacks that the world has known and savored. Legend has it that they were first made in the 12th century in medieval Scotland, but the fact is that they were perfected and made popular by Mary, Queen of Scots, who reigned in the 16th century.
Shortbread is so called because of their texture, which is crumbly. In the old meaning of the word, short meant crumbly. On the other hand, shortening is a process by which a crumbly texture is created by added fat to any product. Hence, the two fold meaning of shortbread, which is very high on butter content. However, although high on butter, shortbread cookie recipes are different from butter cookie recipes. In fact, shortbread cookies are famously known as the ancestors of all butter cookies we know today.
There are many shortbread cookie recipes out there, but the most traditional one is perhaps the simplest one. It calls for one part sugar, two part butter and three part flour. Trust our ancestors to keep things simple! Newer recipes change these proportions and even add a few basic ingredients like eggs. However, shortbread cookies are so versatile that even these later day additions do not take anything away from their deliciousness; they simply add to it. Also, shortbread cookies can be made with a number of different ingredients, giving rise to literally hundreds of new recipes. Below is a list of just a few shortbread cookie recipes to give you an idea of the versatility of this sweet snack:
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Butterscotch Shortbread Cookies
Almond Shortbread Cookies
Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
Mocha Shortbread Cookies
Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Filling
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Raspberry Shortbread Cookies
Maple Shortbread Cookies
Ginger Shortbread Cookies
Coffee Shortbread Cookies
Caramel Shortbread Cookies
Whipped Shortbread Cookies
The beauty of shortbreads is that they make a fantastic accompaniment for a number of different drinks and desserts. For instance, they can be enjoyed with tea, coffee, milk and hot chocolate, just as much as with wine and champagne. They are also terrific with desserts like sorbet, ice creams, puddings and fruits. So, what are you waiting for, just look up some shortbread cookie recipes now and indulge is a bit of this historical sweet.