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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

pecan shortbread

Need an idea for Christmas gifts?

What's better than a sweet treat?

These shortbread cookies are a great way to show someone you care about them in this holiday season :)


They are really easy and the dough freezes really well so if you are pressed for time during the busy season, these are great to do in advance!

And while they aren't my favorite shortbread, they are pretty darn fantastic, if you ask me.


Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Makes about 24 cookies, after you eat some of the dough.
Taken from The Barefoot Contessa.
3 sticks of butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract 
3 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups small diced pecans

Preheat the oven to 350*.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined.

Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the creamed mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut out cookies using a round cookie cutter...or whatever shape you'd like! Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.












12 comments:

  1. These look great! Shortbread cookies are my middle son's favorite.
    Came over from SITS to say hi.

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  2. Mmmmm - these look great! The pics are fabulous.

    Stopping in from SITS.

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  3. Hi ladies! Glad you found me :) Hope you try and enjoy these!

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  4. Katie,

    I am short on money this christmas and have thought about baking or cooking something as my gifts to give away. Besides the cookies, do you have any other suggestions?

    Jenna Lasseter

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  5. Jenna, food wise?? I've made jams and marmalades before and of course, breads like pumpkin and zucchini. This year, my husband's staff will get hot chocolate and eggnog mix, cookies, homemade cheddar cayenne crackers, and mini gingerbread loaves. I've also done a bottle of inexpensive rose wine infused with lemon peel and sage leaves and then poured into decorative jars with a wedge of gourmet cheese from the deli, that way the whole gift is under $10 each. Toffee or white chocolate peppermint bark is good too...hope this helps!

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  6. anything that includes 3 sticks of butter sounds great!

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  7. just made these tonight to put on a goodie tray for Dale's office....they came out yummy! I put some dough in the freezer for closer to Christmas!!! Keep the recipes coming Katie!

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  8. I have a few more shortbread recipes coming soon so keep coming back :) I'm glad you liked them!

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