This Irish Shortbread cookie recipe is so easy to make. But there are a few secrets that you need to know.
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SHORTBREAD COOKIES FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
We made Irish shortbread for St. Patrick’s day, served on Irish Belleek china with Assam tea, a tea commonly served in Ireland. The perfect thing for catching a leprechaun.
This is a popular cookie in England, Scotland and Ireland. In Ireland, there is a version called Petticoat Tails that are named this because they are baked in a circle and look like a petticoat when a wedge is cut from the circle. We used a tart pan to achieve the scalloped edges of the cookies so they would look like petticoats.
TIPS FOR MAKING SHORTBREAD
Shortbread requires only a few ingredients and comes together in minutes, so it is really easy to make. But the method and ingredients are a bit different from cookies that start by creaming butter and sugar together. They are made using what is called a “reverse creaming” method, and then baked in a round pan on a lower temperature for a long time.
- Use the best Ingredients – we list the brands in the recipe for a reason.
- Corn starch is added because it decreases the amount of protein in the dry ingredients and makes the cookies more tender.
- They are made using a reverse creaming method – the dry ingredients are mixed together and then the butter is added cold.
- Measure all the ingredients by weight – it’s more accurate and much easier.
- Use a tart pan with a removable bottom to give the cookies shape and make it easier to remove them from the pan once they are cooled.
- Use a cake pan to flatten the cookies before baking.
- Remove the center by placing a cookie cutter in the center and poke holes in them to let them bake more evenly.
- Bake the cookies for a longer time at a lower temperature, just until they start to brown.
- Allow them to cool completely before unmolding them.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST SHORTBREAD COOKIE RECIPE
Use thebest ingredients. We have listed thebrands for some of the ingredientsbecause ingredients are everything. We have found that these brands give superior results. And by using brands like Horizon dairy products and organic sugarwe cut our carbon footprint in halfand are helping to control climate change.
FLOUR
Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flourhas a lower protein amount than some all purpose flours – 10.5 percent protein. This is a good flour for baking cookies, since it makes them more tender. In addition, the company ensures that the protein content is carefully calibrated, so you get consistent results. Also, it is important to use the unbleached flour.
SUGAR
We useWholesome organic sugar, because it is produced from sugar cane fields that are green cut and are not burned or treated with herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Burning sugar cane fields contributes to air pollution andclimate change, and is a major cause of the destruction of the rain forest. Buying sugar from fields that are green cut helps prevent this destruction. The sugar also has a better taste because of how it is produced, but mostly we use it because it is a sustainable choice. It is more expensive than buying the standard brands, but the difference is only a few cents per recipe, so it’s worth it. We also save money bybuying this in bulkdirect from the company andstoring it in jars in the pantry.
SALT
We like the quality ofDiamond Kosher saltand don’t want the iodine taste. The weight and structure of salt varies between brands so it is important to choose a salt and stick with it to be consistent.
BUTTER
We useHorizon Organicbutter. We think Horizon products taste better than any other dairy products we have tried. This is probably because the products are organic and from family farming partners. Just as important, Horizon is acertified B corporationthat has committed to becomingcarbon positive across their entire supply chain by 2025.
No Affiliates Statement
We call this our “no affiliates” statement because we accept no advertising, have no affiliates and accept no payment. We are not paid to mention brands – we just love buying the best, sharing that information and saving the planet at the same time. The effort put into writing and photographing the blog is solely based on our dedication to the cause.
After the cookies are cooled, they can be decorated with powdered sugar sifted over a stencil for a more formal presentation.
Irish shortbread for St. Patrick’s day, served with Assam tea (Irish breakfast tea). Like we said – the perfect bait for the leprechaun trap.
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 food scale
- 1 tart pan with removable bottom 8 or 9 inch, but adjust the baking time – We used an 8 inch pan
- 1 parchment paper
- 1 cake pan
- 1 skewer
- 1 2 inch round cookie cutter
CHOOSING BRANDS:
For certain products, the choice of brand will make a big difference in the outcome of the recipe and in your carbon footprint. So, for those products, we have listed the brand. We are not paid to mention a brand and have no affiliates.
Ingredients
- 250 grams Gold Medal unbleached all purpose flour
- 40 grams cornstarch
- 150 grams Wholesome organic sugar ground superfine in a food processor for one minute
- ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 225 grams Horizon butter (one pound)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Place the mixing bowl on the scale and measure in the flour, corn starch, superfine sugar (see ingredients note), and salt by zeroing the scale after each ingredient is measured. Stir to mix.
- Cut up the cold butter into cubes about 1/2 inch in size.
- Stir the cold butter into the flour mixture.
- Using the stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix on low speed for about 4 minutes, until the mixture looks like crumbs. Check for any remailing large pieces of butter and rub them together with your fingers to break them up.
- Spread half the mixture into the tart pan. Using the bottom of the cake pan. press the mixture flat.
- Spread the rest of the mixture into the pan. Using the bottom of the cake pan, flatten the mixture. Using the back of a fork, press the mixture around the edges into the scallops of the pan, keeping the dough as flat as possible. The fork will also add to the "petticoat" look.
- Place the cookie cutter in the center, pushing it to the bottom.
- Lower the oven temperature to 300°, and place the tart pan on a cookie sheet and into the oven.
- After 20 minutes, remove the tart pan from the oven. Leave the cookie cutter in place, but remove the dough in the center. Use a sharp knife to score the round into 8 equal sized cookies. Use the skewer to carefully poke holes in each cookie.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30- 40 more minutes. The cookies should be just lightly browning.
- Remove from the oven and set on a rack to cool completely.
- Check that the cookies are pulling away from the tart pan and remove the ring and the cookie cutter.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the cookies apart where they were scored.
Nutrition
WHY THIS RECIPE IS SUSTAINABLE:
Check out the chart on the blog post to see how food choices affect climate change. This recipe uses responsible brands and items that are lower on the chart and the production creates less greenhouse gas.
HOW THESE IRISH SHORTBREAD COOKIES FIT INTO OUR PLAN TO EAT BETTER
We have listed the brands for some of the ingredients because ingredients are everything, especially in something small like cookies. We have found that these brands give superior results. And by eating a plant based diet and using brands that are ethically sourced and sustainable,we cut our carbon footprint in halfand are helping to control climate change.
Photos by Tony Fitzgerald Photography