Walnut Shortbread Recipes

WALNUT SHORTBREADS

Steps:

• The first thing you need to do is grind the walnuts, which you can do very carefully using the 'pulse' switch on a food processor (if this is overdone, the nuts go pasty and oily). Otherwise, a hand-held nut grinder will do the job. To make the shortbread, place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream them together until pale and fluffy. Then mix the sifted flour and rice flour together and gradually work this into the creamed mixture, a tablespoonful at a time. Next, add the ground walnuts and use your hands to form the mixture into a smooth dough. Leave the dough to rest in a plastic food bag in the fridge for 30 minutes, then roll it out on a lightly floured work surface to a round approximately 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. Now, using the 1¾ inch (4.5 cm) cutter, cut out approximately 20 rounds, re-rolling the trimmings. Place them on the lightly greased baking sheet and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Cool them for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. When completely cool, dust them with icing sugar and store in an airtight container.

MAPLE-WALNUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Beat the butter, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the maple extract in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour in 2 batches and beat until just combined.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and dust with flour. Gently knead a few times until soft but not sticky, lightly dusting the surface with more flour as needed. Pat into an 8-inch square (about 1/2 inch thick). Cut into 1-by-2-inch rectangles, flouring the knife if needed.
• Spread the walnuts on a plate. Gently press each rectangle in the walnuts to coat. Arrange about 1 1/2 inches apart on 2 baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 325 degrees F. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are firm and lightly browned on the bottom, about 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Mix the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons maple syrup and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle on the cookies. Let set, about 15 minutes.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Resift the flour with the baking powder.
• Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in the flour mixture.
• Stir in the walnuts.
• Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
• Roll out onto floured board to 1/4" thickness. Cut into any shape.
• Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
• Make 2 to 2 1/2 dozen delicious cookies.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Pulse walnuts in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in flour and salt.
• Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Slowly add walnut mixture, and beat until just combined.
• Butter an 8-inch round cake pan. Transfer dough to pan. Place a piece of plastic wrap on dough, and use it to press the dough evenly into pan (this will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers). Cut dough into 8 wedges using a paring knife. Prick all over with a wooden skewer or fork.
• Bake until golden brown and firm in center, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Recut into wedges and prick again. Let cool slightly. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom; set aside. Pulse walnuts in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl, and whisk in flour and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Slowly add walnut mixture, and beat until just combined.
• Transfer dough to prepared pan. Place a piece of plastic wrap on dough, and use it to press the dough evenly into pan (this will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers). Transfer to refrigerator and chill until firm.
• Cut dough into 8 wedges using a paring knife. Prick all over with a wooden skewer or fork.
• Bake until golden brown and firm in the center, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Recut into wedges and prick again. Let cool.

MAPLE WALNUT SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Cut a piece of foil 8 by 16-inches. Butter the corners and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Line the pan with the foil, leaving an overhang on two sides.
• Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the egg yolk, syrup, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds if using. Reduce the speed to low, add the flours and salt, all at once, and beat until just combined. Add the walnuts and continue to mix until fully combined.
• Using your hands, drop the dough in pieces evenly into the prepared pan. Flour your hands lightly and press the dough together and into the corners of the pan. Put a piece of waxed paper on top of the dough and use something square and heavy-another pan, a pound of cold butter-to press the dough into the pan and make a smooth, even top. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• When it is firm, use a fork to score the dough all over. Bake until deep golden brown and starting to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 45 minutes. Cool completely on a rack, about 2 hours, then wrap with plastic wrap, and let sit at room temperature overnight.
• Place a lightweight cutting board or a baking rack over the top of the pan. Flip and set on the counter. Gently pull the pan from the foil and the foil from the pan to lift off the pan. Gently peel the foil off the bar. Place another lightweight cutting board on top, and flip the bar right-side-up.
• Using a sharp, serrated knife, slice the square in half. Then slice each half into 8 bars.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toast the walnuts until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool, then finely grind them in a food processor. Sift flour and salt into a bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed, beat together the butter and sugar until lightened, about 4 minutes. Add the yolk and mix until fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and walnuts and mix just to combine. If the dough is soft, wrap it tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Otherwise, roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick on a lightly floured work surface into a 6-by-7-inch rectangle. Using a ruler, square the edges as much as possible. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into1-inch squares. Place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the cookies until they are firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans; set aside. In a food processor, combine the nuts, flours, sugar, and salt; pulse until the nuts are finely ground but not oily. Add the butter, oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice; pulse until the mixture just comes together.
• Divide the mixture between the pans and press in until even. With a sharp knife, cut each round of dough into 8 wedges. Lightly prick the tops with the tines of a fork. Bake until set and pale tan, about 22 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cut through each wedge. Cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

WALNUT SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• For crust, preheat oven to 275F; crumble ingredients together until well mixed; Press into a greased 9x13 pan and bake in a slow oven (275F) for 8 minutes; increase temp to 375F and top with second mixture and continue baking.
• For topping: Mix all ingredients well; spread mixture over the partially baked crust and continue baking in a moderate oven (375F) until well set and slightly browned, about 30 minutes; cool and cut into squares.

WALNUT-LEMON SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans; set aside. In a food processor, combine nuts, flours, sugar, and salt; pulse until nuts are finely ground but not oily. Add the butter, oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice; pulse until the mixture just comes together.
• Divide the mixture between the two pans and press in until even. With a sharp knife, cut each round of dough into 8 wedges. Lightly prick the tops with the tines of a fork. Bake until set and pale tan, about 22 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cut through each wedge. Cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.