These are the cookies I served with afternoon tea when I had friends over to watch Pride & Prejudice. (See my post, A Taste of Britain Menu.) Everything we ate that day had a British theme.
I can't take a lot of credit for these yummy shortbread cookies. Most of the props go to Walkers Shortbreads. I started with those and just dipped them in two kinds of tasty coatings. So easy; yet very pretty on the plate, don't you think?
The New York Times said that Walkers Shortbread is "probably the best food you can buy in a box." That's high praise. I agree. In fact, this is one of the only cookies I eat out of a box. It might have something to do with the pure, simple ingredients--nothing but flour, butter, sugar, and salt. That's exactly what is in a homemade shortbread cookie recipe. Walkers started making these Scottish Shortbread cookies over 100 years ago, so they've endured the test of time. Not a single preservative or additive. Luckily, they are widely available in the grocery stores in the U.S.
Shortbread cookies are truly delicious just as they are--such a rich, buttery taste. That's how King-Man likes them--plain, nothing added. Me? I like them plain, too; but it's also just in my nature to want to jazz them up a bit. I thought they'd look prettier on a platter if I dipped them in something, just for a little different twist on the original.
So, here are two super easy recipes for dipping and glazing Walkers Shortbread cookies. The shortbreads come in several shapes. I used the finger and triangle shapes:
Recipe #1: Easy Lemon Glazed Shortbread Cookies
Here are the ingredients: Walkers Shortbread Finger Cookies, powdered sugar, the zest from one lemon, the juice from 1-2 lemons, light corn syrup (not pictured), and yellow sugar sprinkles.
Directions: All you do is whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice and zest to make a glaze. Then dip one end of the cookies in the glaze. Put them on a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Sprinkle them with yellow sprinkles, and let them dry. Done. Easy!
View & print Lemon Glazed Shortbread Cookies recipe
Recipe #2: Easy Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Here are the ingredients: Walkers Shortbread Triangles, semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and canola or vegetable oil.
Directions: In the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with a splash of oil. Dip the wide end of the cookies in the melted chocolate, place them on parchment or waxed paper, and sprinkle them with chopped pecans. Let the chocolate harden. Done!
View & print Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies recipe
Tea time!
These cookies are perfect served with afternoon tea. Try them with Earl Grey tea, for another British addition to the menu. This popular tea was named after the 1830's British Prime Minister.
Make it a jolly-good, yummy day!
Monica
You may also be interested in this Taste of Britain post:
Strawberries and Cream - A Healthy Makeover
