Friday, December 12, 2008

Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies With the Kiddos!





Today we had some candy land fun with my darling friend Heather and our kids making some holiday cookies! These were actually the result of a fun experiment that went horribly RIGHT! The cookies are a basic shortbread with the crunch of candy cane mixed into the dough. What happened? Well, they all got eaten in less than 4 hours, and we made several dozen. It took a great effort to save some for game night, which we try to have every Friday night! So I think these are ones for my posterity. I am sure they will be a tradition forever!!


Peppermint Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies


1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup sweet butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 crushed candy canes
cream cheese frosting (optional)

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat the butter, vanilla and sugar until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until a smooth dough. Fold in the crushed candy canes.

Roll by rounded Tablespoon and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees 9-12 minutes depending on how crispy you like your cookies. Allow to cool slightly before removing from baking sheet. Cool and frost. Add sprinkles or more crushed candy cane on top of frosting.


Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 stick (1/4 pound) regular butter, softened
1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese
1 pound powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
In large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese.
Add sugar and vanilla and blend. Spread on cooled cookies.
Eat. Faint. Repeat as needed.
Heather took the picture! Didn't she do a great job?! I may have to hire her someday!!

8 comments:

Amy said...

Wait...where's the cream cheese frosting recipe?

These look pretty. I'll have to try them next week...I'll be pretty chocolate-ed out by then. (And yes, apparently, anything is possible.)

Chef Tess said...

Ahhh. Let me add the cream cheese frosting recipe, just for you!

Amy said...

that was me :)

Jeri said...

hey there tess - quick question - I saw recently on someone's blog some deal where they took a Hershey kiss, placed it on a pretzel and put it in the oven to melt... or something along those line. Now i can't find it. Was that on one of your sites? If so, please direct me back to it.

Chef Tess said...

Ahh. Jeri, not any of my sites have anything about that! The multiply site has info on chocolate melting under "candy, candy, and more candy". I would say put it on parchment on a good sheetpan and just put oven on warm, then turn it off and leave them in there about 4-5 minutes.

Jeri said...

I found it - here is the link in case you want to see the pretty, festive, pictures... (the photo in question is like the 4th down...) http://ryanadriennemangus.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-babysitter.html

Chef Tess said...

Those look really fun! I fear if I make them I won't stop! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

They look delish, I will be leaving off the frosting. A tad too sweet for me that way.
Chef Tess I do hope you have a Merry Christmas & A Happy & Healthy New Year!!