Chocolate Shortbread Trees Recipes

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD TREES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until blended. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and cocoa; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/4-in. tree-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with nonpareils., Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD TREES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour, cocoa and cinnamon; beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2- to 3-inch tree-shaped cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Cool completely.
• Melt baking chips and shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes or until smooth.
• Place icing in small resealable plastic food bag. Snip 1/8-inch off one corner. Pipe icing as desired onto cooled cookies. Decorate as desired. Let stand until set.

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD X-MAS TREES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Combine powdered sugar and butter in mixer bowl.
• Beat until creamy, 1-2 minutes.
• Add flour, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon until well mixed for about 1-2 minutes.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Cut with X-mas tree cookie cutters.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Melt baking chips and shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth.
• After cookies are cooled, drizzle glaze over cookies.
• Let stand until set.