Baking with kids is awesome at any time of year but the mess is exponentially MORE enjoyable when you get the littlies in the kitchen at Christmas time.
I bake shortbread every Christmas to gift to our neighbours, my Scottish Pop, kindy teachers and anyone else who needs a little sweetening up after putting up with us for the past year. It’s easy, inexpensive and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a recipe with four ingredients?
Shortbread is my kind of cookie.
Last year I really stepped up my Christmas Shortbread game with the addition of a set of star-shaped cookie cutters I found at a large retailer whose name starts with K – I can’t remember which store it was so good luck with your search ok?
Once baked and cooled, stack your shortbread into the most delicious Christmas tree ever, tie with baker’s twine and wrap with cellophane if necessary. Stack two or 3 of each size shortbread for an impressively simple centerpiece on your Christmas dessert table (this would also work with a set of square or round cookie cutters if you have those instead).
Aren’t you clever?! Here’s how to make it happen;
Shortbread Recipe
Originally published online at www.chelsea.co.nz
250g butter, softened
3/4 cup Chelsea Icing Sugar
1/2 cup cornflour
1 1/2 cups standard flour
Chelsea Coffee Sugar Crystals for decoration
Preheat oven to 150°C bake (140°C fan forced). Grease oven tray or line with baking paper.
1. Beat butter and icing sugar until pale and fluffy.
2. Mix in cornflour and flour until the mixture comes together and forms a dough.
3. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1 cm thick and cut into shapes using biscuit cutters.
Alternatively, roll dough into a log and slice into rounds, using a floured knife to prevent sticking. Sprinkle with coffee sugar crystals if desired and press down gently.
4. Place on prepared tray and bake 25 – 30 minutes, until shortbread is pale but crisp. Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.
OR
Make a Shortbread Christmas Tree!
Win with #ChelseaSugar this Christmas!
Whipping up treats to enjoy and share over Christmas is so much fun and something you can easily get the kids on board with. To help get you and your family in the kitchen over the holidays, I have a $50 Chelsea Sugar Prize Pack to give away to one reader!
To enter, just comment below with your favourite, homemade Christmas treat.
Competition closes 22/12/16 residents only.
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