Chocolate Shortbread

January 6: National Shortbread Day

Highlander has a wee bit o’ Irish heritage. Some geneaological records indicate that his ancestors moved back and forth from Scotland and Ireland throughout history. We further learned that they are referred to as Ulster Scots, and those who have emigrated to North America are called Scots-Irish.

Inspired by Highlander’s history and heritage, we infused Irish butter into a classic Scottish shortbread cookie recipe. And as chocoholics who we were in the mood for mix-ins, we added baking cocoa and dark chocolate drizzles. Chocolate shorbread is the ultimate Ulster-Scot tribute on National Shortbread Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from Brown Bag)

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature (we used Kerrygold brand unsalted Irish butter)
• 1 ½ tablespoons baking cocoa (we used Nestle brand)
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 2 ounces (2 squares) semi-sweet chocolate (we used Baker’s brand)

Directions

Lightly mist the ceramic shortbread pan with cooking spray. Wipe off the excess oil from the pan. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter with the cocoa, sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Gradually add the flour until a sticky dough is formed. Press the dough evenly (it is fine to use fingers) in the shortbread pan.

Prick holes on the top with the tines of a fork.  Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees F for 30-35 minutes and slightly puffed, taking care not to burn the edges. Remove the cookie from the oven and let cool in the shortbread pan for 10 minutes.  Loosen the edges with a spatula or knife.

Carefully invert the shortbread pan onto a cutting board. While the shortbread is still warm, cut into wedges with a sharp knife. Brush away the crumbs and let cool on a wire rack. Melt the chocolate squares. Fill a pastry or zipper top plastic bag with the melted chocolate. Using a small round tip on the pastry bag, or cutting a small hole from the edge of the zipper top plastic bag, squeeze out the melted chocolate in a back and forth drizzling motion over each shortbread wedge. Let the chocolate cool completely before stacking the cookies.

Notes

• Try drizzling different types of flavored chocolate (mint, orange, chili, etc.) for variety.