Fruit And Nut Holiday Shortbread Recipes

FRUIT AND NUT REFRIGERATOR COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside. Combine butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg and beat until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat until combined.
• Remove bowl from mixer and using a wooden spoon, stir in dates, apricots, and pecans. Knead dough briefly until smooth, about 30 seconds. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a rectangular log, 2-by-1 1/2-by-7 1/2 inches. Wrap each log in parchment then in plastic wrap. Refrigerate or freeze until firm, about 4 hours in refrigerator or 2 hours in freezer. Dough can be made ahead up to this point and frozen for up to 3 months.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper. Unwrap one log. Using a very sharp knife, slice dough into cut into 1/4- to 1/8-inch slices. Place on prepared sheets, 20 per sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake until firm and barely browning around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on sheets for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. When cool, drizzle with royal icing and let sit 1 hour to set icing.

FRUIT AND NUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar. Add yolk and flour. Cut in fruit and nuts. Shape dough into two rolls 2 inches in diameter and roll in waxed paper. Chill overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• While still cold and wax paper still on, take a sharp knife and cut thin slices (1/8 inch). Set on greased cookie sheets, remove wax paper and bake for 10 minutes. (Slightly brown edges).

FRUIT AND NUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar. Add yolk and flour. Cut in fruit and nuts. Shape dough into two rolls 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and roll in waxed paper. Chill overnight. While still cold and waxed paper still on, take a sharp knife and cut thin slices (1⁄8 inch/3 mm). Set on greased cookie sheets, remove waxed paper and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. (Slightly brown edges).

FRUIT AND NUT HOLIDAY SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Make the shortbread cookies: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Cream the butter with the sugar in a medium bowl using a handheld mixer. In a small bowl, mix the salt and flour, and then mix into the butter, 1/4 cup at a time, just until uniform. Do not overmix. Gather the dough into a ball; chill for 15 minutes if the dough is beginning to soften or feel greasy. Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch and cut into rectangles about 1/2-inch by 2 inches. Place on a cold, ungreased baking sheet. Bake until the edges are just beginning to turn golden, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the fruit and nut topping: In a small bowl, mix the pecans, cranberries, and chocolate chips with the orange marmalade.
• After 20 minutes, remove the cookies from the oven and spread the fruit and nut topping on the tops of the shortbread. Return to bake for 7 to 8 more minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Best eaten within a day or two of making.