Holiday Cookies

As the holiday season approaches many of us will be looking for cookie recipes.  This recipe is simple and you can make it however you wish.  You can even freeze them for later use.  The cookies come out delicious, just ask anyone who works with me. They were snatched up in an instant and requests for the recipe came flying in.  

Icebox Shortbread

Prep – 25 minutes (1 – 1 1/2 hour refrigerated time)

Cooking Time – 15-20 minutes

Servings – 36 cookies

•       1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
•       1 cup confectioners’ sugar
•       1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•       1/2 teaspoon salt
•       2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
•       mix-ins and coatings (see below)

1.    With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth.

2.   With mixer on low speed, add flour, mixing until a dough forms.

3.   Stir in desired mix-ins

4.   Divide dough in half; place half on a piece of floured waxed or parchment paper.

5.   With floured hands gently roll each half into 1 1/2 inch diameter log

6.   If using a coating, roll the coating on the outside here

7.   Wrap logs tightly in paper and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 1 1/2 hours

8.   Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

9.   Unwrap log; slice dough 1/2 thick. Arrange slices 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

10.  Bake until lightly golden around edges, 15-20 minutes.

11.  Cool on baking sheet 1-2 minutes, transfer to wire rack to cool completely

Mix Ins

• Grated zest of 2 oranges & 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & coat with 1/4 cup poppy seeds
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & 1/2 cup of dried blueberries
• Grated zest of 2 limes & coat with  1/4 cup of cornmeal
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & coat with 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger & coat with 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & 1/2 cup of rough chopped cashews
• 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.  For combination add a 1/4 of each.

Play with the mix-ins and enjoy!  I would have a picture to post but they don't even last long enough for me to grab the camera.