Classic Shortbread with Fleur de Sel

 

Get on the Bus

 

This week we're making shortbread.  Meh.  I'm not a huge fan of shortbread.  They're good, but not something I would normally make or crave.  I find them very rich.  That of course is not a bad thing, don't get me wrong.  I like rich baked goods and baked goods that seem rich but aren't.  I was even tempted to go out and buy a cute little shortbread pan with some cute little designs in it.  (was?)    Plus, the Baked boys say Shortbread is fickle.  Sounds like my good buddy caramel.  Hmpf.
Did I mention shortbread is not a fav of mine?

Folks I think we have a runner here.....someone is going rogue.






 No, no.  I'm not going rogue.  I don't do that.  That's crazy talk.  I follow the rules.  I am NOT going rogue.   I think I would call it more of a look back....or revisit.  You know, I came to this party late.  So I've missed a lot of the recipes that have been made for the Baked Sunday Morning challenges.  And I thought wouldn't it be great to try some of those recipes that I've missed....like the Carrot Coconut Scones with Citrus Glaze.  See, that's not rogue.

 Ooo, ooo, can I tell her she's going rogue???

















Okay, maybe I am going a little rogue.  But just a little....the recipes both call for flour.    huh?  Huh!
Fine, I roguishly made the scones.

I love the combination of carrots, coconut and orange.  You just can't go wrong with scones. (unless they weren't the recipe for this week)


I think the scones turned out really well.  And didn't taste at all like guilt.  They tasted more like coconut with maybe just a smidge of guilt or perhaps it was the citrus glaze I was tasting.  All in all very yummy.  They will go in the freezer for a breakfast down the road.  (I'm picturing the Littlest Hobo with a hobo bag filled with scones)  I've even got the song in my head. (wait, this may just be a Canadian thing)

This is the end of the post and by standard convention should have ended here..... but because I'm all rogue and don't follow the rules it isn't ending here.  That's right! 

So anyhoo, I've taken a couple of days to think about it and I'm ummm.....I'm...... I'm making the shortbread.  Rogue in reverse?

It seems that I had everything for the shortbread.  Even had the rice flour in the pantry.  What the heck did I buy rice flour for?  Hmm. 

The dough went together pretty easily.  I opted for the stand mixer rather than a wooden spoon.  So much easier.  And besides, I'm on vacation....and wooden spooning my dough seems like it would have been work. (and after reading this sentence seems kind of naughty)

The dough felt nice to handle.  Feels like it should make for a tender shortbread.  (oh it better!  I didn't just go un-rogue for a meh shortbread!)

 

 

And here are the discs of dough just chillin' next to the dill pickles.  'Cause nothing says chillin' like dill pickles!  (sorry to break it to the cheez whiz like that) 

 



 

Now for the clean up and make like nothing went on in the kitchen.  I got a drying mat as part of my christmas gifts from my in laws.  I don't know how I've lived without one for all this time.  They really are great.  And my new favourite kitchen item.








So the day got away from me (as days can often do) and the shortbread did not get baked.  The discs of dough got to chill in the fridge all night long....all night....all night.  (you've just been Lionel'd) 


This morning I got my butt in gear and baked off the shortbread.  I think it went okay.  Have never actually made shortbread, so I'm not totally sure how the dough should be. 

I did have to leave the dough on the counter for 10 minutes to warm up a bit, as I couldn't roll them out very well when they were so chilly.

I cut some into wedges.

And some I cut into sticks.
 But I forked them all.  And threw a little salt (fleur de sel) on them for good measure.










The baking of the shortbread was pretty uneventful.  Though I did keep them in a few minutes longer than called for, as they didn't seem done.  The time they spent cooling on the cookie tray seems to be the key to ensuring a properly baked shortbread cookie.

 

The shortbread does look pretty cut into wedges.           



But I think I like the look of the sticks better.  Especially for serving beside a nice cuppa tea.



 I'm glad I tried making the shortbread.  I think they are a nice cookie.  (if you're into that sort of cookie)  If I ever make them again, I would try different flavourings as suggested by the Baked Boys.

Okay fine...they're good.  Really good.  I know though, (just like caramel) that the next time I try to make them they won't turn out.  But that's okay.  That's what baking is all about.  Until then, they will be a happy baking memory. 
No doubt I will ride that bus again.

Short(bread) Bus

May I just point out that I was able to write this whole post without once mentioning Randy Newman's song, Short People.  And even when I was all 'meh' about shortbread and singing Shortbread got no reason.....shortbread got no reason...... (in my head of course)  Kudos to me!  I'm really growing as a person. (and not just because of this yummy shortbread)  Baaahaahaa.  I'm here all week...try the shortbread.