Given that I'm way behind on my Christmas baking, I'm trying to focus on the essentials. And so I asked Jeremy, "If I could only bake one kind of cookie this year, what would you want me to make?""Ginger Shortbread." He didn't even have to take a breath before uttering the words, it was such an immediate response!
Good boy! That was my choice, too ... :)
These are rich, crumbly, chocolatey, and feature the fabulous flavor of two kinds of ginger -- powdered and candied. If you love ginger, you will adore these cookies; if you're not such a fan, I promise you'll like these anyway. There is something about their simplicity with a twist that is simply addictive. And their aroma is absolutely heavenly!!!
Ginger Shortbread Cookies
(adapted from a Martha Stewart shortbread cookie recipe)
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Grease a 9"x9" baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar; mix in salt, powdered ginger and vanilla.
Stir in the flours; the mixture will be crumbly.
Stir in the candied ginger and the chocolate chips; combine well, until a portion of it can be pressed together and stick.
Press mixture into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 325F. Bake the shortbread for 40 minutes, until golden at the edges. Let rest for 15 minutes.
Trim 1/4" from the edges of the shortbread; the scraps are a tremendous treat for the ravenous baker, by the way!
While the shortbread is still warm, cut it into squares.
6 comments:
Oh. My. Chocolate and Ginger! I am planning to do a little baking now that I am at sea level--I could do these with white chocolate (Harrison is allergic to chocolate, poor man!)
Mmmmmmm...I've never had ginger shortbread cookies before....these look wonderful. I could eat my weight in them!
Yum! And, this reminds me, David asked me to make ginger snaps recently, which I've never made. So, I'm searching for a recipe. Of course, if you have one, I know it'll be good! :)
Sheila
Baking cookies is probably my least favorite kitchen activity but even I would probably enjoy making these. I guess I'm too impatient to bake 3 dozen cookies a dozen at a time, so bars are my choice. I love the crisp spicy flavor of ginger.
I can see why jeremy would want you to bake these ginger shortbreads-delicious. I am thinking that with a good cup of coffee, this would really rock.
Happy Holidays to you!
Velva
I checked the ingredients - butter, sugar, ginger, chocolate - and knew this would be a winner. Thanks for sharing this ... could be THE shortbread recipe to beat this Christmas!
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