Friday, October 16, 2009

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies #2 and a change


I am not a big fan of change. I like my routines and I thrive on them. My kids need their routine, as boring as it may be, it is what keeps me sane and makes my life work. So, that being said, I was all set, I was ready with my xmas cookie tray list. I had thought it through, I added and subtracted and tried to figure out what was best and then I got thrown 2 curveballs. The first one being asked to join The 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies bake along, April over at Abbey Sweets, invited me to join her and other ladies in posting a Christmas cookie every Friday from now until Xmas. I am thrilled. I quickly accepted, and thought to myself, I got this, I am so anal and so prepared, that this will be easy. Then my 2nd curveball struck.

I got a comment on my last post from Valerie, she is at Valerie's attempt at pondering. She was new to me, so I immediately checked out her blog, and I was blown away. It is full of so many things that I cannot wait to try. Please, guys, for me, check it out, you will be so happy you did. The first thing I see when I get there is these. Well, these are mine, but you get the picture. These are Baby Shortbread Bites with Mini Chocolate Chips and Toffee. Are you kidding me?

I made them that night and they are incredible. They are little buttery pieces of heaven with choc chips and toffee added in just for the hell of it. My whole gameplan has now changed and I am posting these as my Week 2 cookie because that's how good they are. You have the option of melting chocolate and dipping half the cookie into it, but I believe they stand up well enough on their own. These will now be on my holiday cookie tray. You have to try them, you will thank me later.

Baby Shortbread Bites with Mini Choc Chips and Toffee


1 Cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup mini choc chips
3/4 cup heath toffee bits
1 tbsp vegetable shortening, optional
1 cup mini choc chips, optional

Directions:


Preheat oven to 350.


Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Mix in the flour until combined, then stir in ( or add with the mixer on the slowest speed) 3/4 cup min choc chips and the 3/4 cup Heath bits. It should look like this.


And like this. You can definately try the dough, there are no eggs. Yes, you will try it. I did!!!




Shape spoonfuls of dough into small balls(Donna, behave), about one inch wide. I used my hands, but I'm sure you can use a very small cookie scoop. Place 2 inches apart on parchmant lined cookie sheet. Press down lightly to give each cookie a slightly flat surface to rest on.
Bake for 12-14 minutes, until fairly firm to the touch. Let the cookies cool completely before removing them from the pan, shortbread can be delicate and is very brittle. If you choose to, you can melt the remaining 1 cup of mini choc chipsand shortening in a double boiler, stirring frequently until smooth. Dip one end of each cookie into the chocolate, then place them on wax paper until set. Store in air tight container at room temperature and try, just try to control yourself. These are amazing cookies.




Makes 4 dozen Baby Shortbread Bites, love the name.





As shortbread normally does, these taste better as the days go on. They taste better today than yesterday.






I guess sometimes change is good. lol

33 comments:

  1. I know how you feel since I am a creature of habit also! I'll check out the blog you suggested. The cookies look great....I would love to have one of them right now!

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  2. Jeesus, I cant wait to make these cooking, so delicious looking!

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  3. I am the same way about routine, you have to have it to get things done! I love Valerie's blog as well, and have been eye balling these cookies. I am so glad that you are cookie lovin' along with us! These look wonderful!

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  4. So many cookies, so little time...

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  5. These cookies look sinfully delish. My daughter loves toffee so these are on the list to bake. I'm glad your baking along with us. The more cookies, the better!!!

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  6. These cookies look so sinful, buttery, and delicious. I love toffee inside a cookie - yum! One to try for sure :D

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  7. I'm glad you found something you liked on my blog. Theses cookies were my diet downfall last week! I made them to give away, but had to keep some because they were so good. Glad the change worked out for you this time. Thanks for the nice comments!

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  8. This is a MUST on my list to try this week coming. They sound FANTASTIC!!

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  9. I don't know if I'm quite ready to think about Christmas baking yet! Still, things tend to sneak up on me... These look wonderful!

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  10. Another great cookie recipe! Keep 'em coming!

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  11. Yes - change is good, especially when it comes in cookie form! :)

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  12. oh how yummy! i'm loving all the cookie recipes, delicious!

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  13. I love toffee and chocolate chips in a cookie! I haven't had them in a shortbread cookie, but it sounds fabulous! I'm so glad you're doing 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies with us! Can't wait to see what you have planned!

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  14. What scrumptious little treats - I love them! I bet they just melt in your mouth with all that butter!

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  15. great little treats - I am lucky if I manage to make a few spritz cookies!

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  16. It would be debatable as to whether or not there would be any dough left to cook if I were to make these! I'm a huge fan of Heath, so I'll have to try them. They look awesome!

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  17. I can't wait to see more of your cookies. these look and sound delicious.

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  18. I saw those yummy babies over there! Yours look good, too!
    ~ingrid

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  19. Aren't they darling those little Baby Shortbread Bites. (I too love the name:) Squeeze one through the screen for me will ya. My tea sure could use a tasty dainty. Thanks for sharing...

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  20. I love shortbread; these look and sound delicious. Glad to see they make a nice sized batch; good for sharing!

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  21. Yes, change can be good! They look amazing, actually :D

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  22. How cute and yummy are these! I love the toffee!

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  23. I love the texture of shortbread and with chocolate chips?! Yum! These look delicious!

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  24. These look to have an amazing combo of flavors! Thanks for sharing :)

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  25. Oh yum! I love the flavors of this cookie. Off to check out her site.

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  26. Definitely a keeper! Shortbread with all that chocolately toffee goodness thrown in?! Oh yeah!

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  27. I am not usually a fan of change either. I am all about having a plan and sticking to it. But I would make an exception for these cookies. delicious!

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  28. Oh! Your cookies look so yummie, very fluffy and light, absolutely delicious :-)

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  29. I make these too... they disappear so quickly they have become an everyday cookie... no longer reserved for the holiday cookie tray!

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  30. My husband discovered Shortbread cookies at the Winn Dixie Bakery last week. He is buying 12 Holiday cookies for $ 2.99 every 3 days to keep himself supplied with Cookies for his Lunch Pail. I never baked a shortbread cookie so I started hunting on the net for recipes and I came upon your site. Lucky for me: I Baked those shortbread bites tonight while he was at Work. The whole house smelled so wonderful. I am going to surprise him tomorrow when he goes to pack his lunch with my new found treasure of these cookies, along with a Love Note: Saying, "I love you and would love to bake these for you whenever you want: Merry Christmas". Thanks for Sharing and Merry Christmas to all of you out there who Read, Bake and Share. Holiday Blessings, Victoria

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I'd be so happy to hear your thoughts, answer questions, or exchange ideas.