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ByRosemary
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These Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are made with only 5 ingredients, perfect for chocolate and shortbread lovers. Cut out or slice and bake, easy and delicious. The perfect addition to your Christmas Cookie baking.
I have been on a Shortbread marathon this year, from these melt in your mouth 3 Ingredient Shortbread to one of the Italian’s favourite bar cookies with a shortbread base, Coconut Jam Squares. These Chocolate Shortbread have been a long time coming, every year I make and test one but I am never convinced, until this year, I even had my trusty recipe tester, Janet test them for me. She and her friends gave them the thumbs up, so here’s to Chocolate!
Table of Contents
Table of contents
- How to make them
- What if my dough is too dry?
- When are the cookies done?
- Can I substitute the powdered sugar?
- How to store them
- How to freeze shortbread
- More Delicious Shortbread Recipes
How to make them
In a mixing bowl beat sugar and butter until creamy, then add the sifted dry ingredients, mix just until combined, move to a flat surface and gently knead to form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. If you prefer you can roll the dough into a log shape, wrap in plastic and refrigerate.
Roll the dough on a flat surface lightly floured if necessary or between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/2 inch thickness, cut out with your favourite cookie cutters and place on the prepared cookie sheets. Or if you made a log shape then slice about 1/4- 1/2 inch thick slices and place on prepared cookie sheets.
While the oven is pre-heating refrigerate the unbaked cookies. Bake, and let cool for about 5 minutes on the cookie sheet then move to a wire rack.
What if my dough is too dry?
If you dough is too dry then add a little more butter until it comes together. Too dry a dough can depend on the flour that is used. Some flour absorbs more liquid than others. If the dough is too wet then add a little more flour.
When are the cookies done?
Be sure not to over bake the cookies, the cookies are done when you gently press on them in the middle, it should be soft and not sticky. They will continue to bake on the baking sheet when removed from the oven.
Can I substitute the powdered sugar?
I advise you not to substitute with the powdered sugar, powdered sugar helps to keep the cookies from spreading and it also helps with the texture of the baked cookie.
How to store them
They should be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature, they will keep for 2 weeks. To tell the truth I like cold shortbread so I always store mine in the fridge, they will keep for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
How to freeze shortbread
To freeze the shortbread cookies, place parchment paper in between the layers of the completely cooled cookies this prevents them from sticking together when they are in the containers for freezing, or you can also place the baked cooled cookies on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then move the frozen cookies to either airtight bags or containers. Baked Shortbread Cookies will last up to a month in the freezer.
To thaw the cookies be sure to remove the frozen cookies from the bags or containers (this way no condensation will form) and let them thaw at room temperature. In our house no one waits for them to thaw!
More Delicious Shortbread Recipes
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
- Orange Glazed Shortbread
- 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
So if you are looking for a new Shortbread recipe this Holiday Season, I hope you try these Chocolate Shortbread Cookies and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Rosemary Molloy
These Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are made with only 5 ingredients, perfect for chocolate and shortbread lovers. Easy and delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Chilling Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 42 minutes mins
Course Christmas Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 103 kcal
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (11% protein or more)
- 1 cup powdered/icing sugar
- 1 pinch salt*
- ½ cup cocoa (unsweetened)
- 1 cup butter (softened)*
*If you use unsalted butter than add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. If the dough is too dry add up to an additional 26 grams of butter (1 tablespoon). Be sure to use a good quality butter, apparently this year 2022, store brand butter quality is not what it used to be. Less fat could mean a dry not so tasty cookie.
A reader suggested adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Instructions
In a large bowl sift the flour, salt and cocoa.
In a mixing bowl beat the sugar and butter until creamy, then add the sifted dry ingredients, mix just until combined, move to a flat surface and gently knead to form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 minutes. If you prefer you can roll the dough into a log shape, wrap in plastic and refrigerate.
Roll the dough on a flat surface lightly floured if needed or between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/2 inch thickness, cut out with your favourite cookie cutters and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Or if you made a log shape then slice about 1/4- 1/2 inch thick slices and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Refrigerate while the oven is pre-heating.
Pre-heat oven to 320F (160C).
Bake the cookies for approximately 12-15 minutes, let cool for about 5 minutes on the cookie sheet then move to a wire rack to completely cool. Enjoy!
Notes
The cookies should be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature, they will keep for 2 weeks. To tell the truth I like cold shortbread so I always store mine in the fridge, they will keep for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
To freeze the shortbread cookies, place parchment paper in between the layers of the completely cooled cookies this prevents them from sticking together when they are in the containers for freezing, or you can also place the baked cooled cookies on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then move the frozen cookies to either airtight bags or containers. Baked Shortbread Cookies will last up to a month in the freezer.
To thaw the cookies be sure to remove the frozen cookies from the bags or containers (this way no condensation will form) and let them thaw at room temperature. In our house no one waits for them to thaw!
Nutrition
Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
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