Christmas Shortbread
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free
Christmas Shortbread
Delicious Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Christmas Shortbread: One for friends and family to enjoy making!
Christmas shortbread is a delightful treat to make, especially with little ones in the kitchen. In this recipe, you can create traditional shortbread biscuits, or if your children have a touch of patience (which my youngest lacked this time!), you can make stained glass shortbread. I found that I could only manage one of these creations while he was lending a hand!
Makes 20 shortbread biscuits.
Ingredients:
Christmas Shortbread
115 g dairy free spread
175 g gluten free plain flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
55 g caster sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
Zest of an orange
Method:
Preheat the over to 180°C / 160° Fan / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, combine the shortbread ingredients until well mixed. I prefer to do this by hand for that personal touch!
Once combined, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to shape the cookies into your desired forms. You can choose the thickness, but I recommend about half a centimeter for the perfect bite.
Transfer the shaped cookies onto your prepared baking tray and pop them in the oven. Bake for around 25 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown.
Once done, remove them from the oven and let the shortbread cool in the tin. Enjoy the delightful aroma wafting through your kitchen!
Additional Notes:
For stained glass cookies, simply place a boiled sweet in the centre before baking. Make sure to utilise all the biscuit dough. If there's a bit left over, I like to create the initials of the children as an extra treat. I also sprinkle red sugar on my shortbread while they're still piping hot, allowing the sugar to stick beautifully to the cookies.
To mix things up a bit, you could also infuse your shortbread dough with different flavourings, like lemon zest or vanilla extract. Adding a teaspoon of almond extract can give a lovely nutty aroma. For a festive twist, consider incorporating some finely chopped nuts, such as pistachios or walnuts, into the dough.
If you're feeling adventurous, try coating the finished shortbread in dark or white chocolate and sprinkle with festive toppings like crushed candy canes or edible glitter for an extra glamorous touch. Another fun idea is to use seasonal spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to add warmth and depth to the flavour. Just remember, the creative possibilities are limitless, so let your imagination run wild this holiday season!
Equipment Used:
Baking tray
Large bowl
Cookie cutters
Rolling pin.
Freezing:
Yes you can freeze these biscuits. Follow the instructions on this link here.
