Sunday, December 18, 2016

Whipped Shortbread Cookies

To be blessed by having great neighbors is an invaluable gift that can never be taken lightly.  Case and point...my husband is in week three of recuperating from surgery and still cannot do anything too strenuous.  This weekend's blizzard came and went, but not without leaving its mark.

We opened the large garage door so I could get my course in snow blowing 101 and before the door was even completely open, our neighbor across the street was already blowing out our driveway.  Our neighbor to the left was clearing off our shared sidewalk, and the neighbor to the right was doing the same on the other side.  I was so taken back by the generosity that they all helped in our time of need, knowing that my husband could not shovel the snow and that it would probably be a disaster putting me in the "driver's seat" of our snowblower...not my forte.


I had planned on doing some baking to send in a care package to family, but knew that I needed to step it up and get our neighbors taken care of too.  So, 6 desserts and 9 hours later, my mission was done. 

I put my husband to work which really helped in the timeline.  As soon as I had a batter done, I had him start rolling.  He rolled the Snowballs in powdered sugar, Shortbread into balls for baking, and took care of the Snickerdoodles in the cinnamon/sugar blend. 

We had quite the assembly line going...and I had quite the sugar coma by the end of the day. Definitely did not feel well after all the taste testing.  As you can see in all the photos, there are a few missing.  We did a few his and hers taste testing...I mean after all, I couldn't possibly put together neighbor's care packages without trying them first...ugh!!


I always strive to try a new holiday dessert recipe each year.  These shortbread cookies were so easy to make and melt in your mouth delicious!


Whipped Shortbread Recipe
Courtesy of Taste of Home

Yield: 102 cookies

3 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1-1/2 cups cornstarch, sifted
Nonpareils and/or halved candied cherries

** Cook's note...I cut this recipe in half...did not need 102 cookies today.

In a large bowl, cream butter and confections sugar until light and fluffy.  Gradually add flour and cornstarch, beating until well blended.

With hands lightly dusted with additional cornstarch (or use food prep gloves like we do), roll dough into 1-inch balls.  Place apart on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Press lightly with a floured fork.  Top with nonpareils or cherry halves.

Bake at 300 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

One Year Ago: Holly Jolly Bark
Two Years Ago: Traeger Salmon and Bacon Jam
Three Years Ago: Almond Joy Cookies







Snowballs



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