Sunday, December 15, 2013

Shortbread Cookies-Perfect for Springerle, Stamped and Message Cookie Cutters

I've been looking for the perfect recipe for the Williams-Sonoma Message Cookie Cutters for years and I think this Springerle Shortbread is pretty darn close! This recipe is courtesy of King Arthur Flour and it was created to work with beautiful Springerle Molds so I knew it would have to hold it's shape well-and it did. I did a little test by chilling some of the cookies for 15 minutes before baking (not in the KAF instructions) and it did not make a difference in detail clarity, so after the initial 1 hour chill just roll, cut, press and bake! The cookies are tasty and not overly sweet.
I did notice two cookies puffed from underneath like an air bubble formed under the cookie, so you might want to brew up some coffee and plan for a couple "seconds":@) The recipe as written will make approximately 12 of the big W-S message cookies or 3-4 dozen small cookies.
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Springerle Shortbread Cookies-from King Arthur Flour
1 C butter-they don't say softened but I took a little of the chill off of it
1/2 C light brown sugar
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 C unbleached A/P flour
  1. Beat butter, sugars and salt until light and creamy. 
  2. Beat in eggs and vanilla, fold in the flour. I found this to be a very dry and crumbly mix, I used my hands to help incorporate the flour but used them as little as possible. I ended up pressing it together into a disc on a piece of wax paper. 
  3. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.
  4. Flour surface, roll dough to 1/4" thick. Flour cookie cutters and cut cookies. I just roll my dough between two sheets of wax paper and floured my cutters every other cookie. I also suggest making sure your cookies are 1/4", I think it will make a difference.
  5. Place on greased or parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges.
I'm very pleased with this recipe folks and if you've been searching 
for a good one to use with detailed cutters or cookie stamps, I think you'll like it too!

26 comments:

  1. This recipe is a keeper, I just need to get the cutters! You did a beautiful decorating job, Lynn! xo

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  2. Hi Lynn. Your gingerbread men are adorable! I live in Denmark and have never seen molds like yours, so cute. I love and collect gingerbread men and every year I'm looking forward to bring them out :)

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  3. These are so cute. I have often looked at these stamps in the WS catalog. Wistfully. I just don't bake enough cookies to justify it. But...I have searched high and low for a good butter cookie recipe that doesn't fall apart so I'm saving this! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. Darling cookies and it's wonderful to have a dough that doesn't spread.

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  5. I'm so glad that you found the perfect recipe, Lynn. I'll have to give this one a try on my next round.

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  6. SO cute! And I love how they keep their imprints so beautifully!

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  7. Cookie baking is on the list as soon as school break starts. I can't wait! Keep the recipes/ideas coming!

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  8. Thanks, L, I will try that one out with my stampers, I HOPE! Time is getting short!
    Your pie looks delicious too!

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  9. Your stamped cookies turned out great! I bought a stamping set & it was so hard to get the letters in & out, that I threw it away.
    That pie is interesting...I've never tasted that kind before. I'm saving the recipe until after the holidays...all we've done it EAT & there is much more to come. Groan.

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  10. I love your recipes - when I save them I put the name of the blog where I found them - and my daughter asked me the other day what Christmas Spritz - Happier than a Pig in Mud meant. I told her it was code for something - but I forget what - she didn't believe me. I think she's figured it out. :-)

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  11. Hi Lynnie! Oh, these are so cute and sound so good. It's about time I make some cookies. Now do you have an Earl cookie cutter? :) Thanks for popping in and I hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. Lynn, I was just thinking about adding brown sugar to a rolled cookie dough. So glad to see it worked great for you. Your cookie stamp is such fun! Love the look of these little cookie men.

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  13. These are really clever. They certainly made me smile and I know several small people who would really enjoy them. Have a great holiday. Blessings...Mary

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  14. They are beautiful. I normally make gingerbread cookies but this year everything is off.

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  15. These look so cute with their printed message. :-)

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  16. PS- I bet Earl wants you to make some sugar cookie pigs that say .... EARL.... to share with all his girlfriends (blog friends) this Christmas.

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  17. They are adorable! If I ever purchase those WS cookie stamps I'll remember to come back for this recipe, Lynn!

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  18. Wow .... These cookies are just PERFECT for Christmas. I will make only this cookies on this Christmas for sure.
    Thanks
    cookiecutter.com/makeyourowncookiecutters.aspx

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  19. Your message gingerbread men are adorable Lynn!

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  20. Cutest cookies ever! I bet they taste as good as they look too!
    Jenna

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  21. I have those cookie cutters as well, love them, and am very happy to have a new recipe to use. The letters are so nice and crisp and the little faces make me smile.

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