Cashew Shortbread Recipes

SHORTBREAD WEDGE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper leaving enough overhang around the sides to easily lift shortbread out. (Tip: Parchment is used so you can easily remove the shortbread and not cut it while it's in the pan. I like to use a square of parchment and I cut a 1-inch slit in the center of each side. This helps reduce the amount of creases when lined in the pan.)
• Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add the flour and cornstarch and beat on low speed for 1 minute as the mixture begins to combine. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat for 1-3 minutes or until the dough clumps together. (It will eventually, just keep mixing it.) If you're adding dry add-ins (see above), this is when you'll add them.
• Divide dough in half. If you want to be totally accurate, weigh the halves to make sure they're even. Recipe makes almost 1.5 lbs of plain dough (will weigh more if you added add-ins). Press each half of dough into a prepared cake pan. You want it nice and compact in the pans. Sprinkle with optional coarse sugar. Dock the surface all over with a fork to prevent air bubbles.
• Bake the shortbread for 28-30 minutes or until very lightly browned on top and around the edges.
• Remove from the oven, place pans on a wire rack, and cool shortbread for 10-15 minutes. Carefully remove the shortbread from the pans by picking it up with the parchment paper on the sides. Cut each into 8 large, 12 medium, or 16 small wedges. You want to make sure you cut the shortbread while it's still warm. Enjoy warm or cool shortbread completely on wire racks.
• Cover and store shortbread at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you added a topping such as glaze, icing, buttercream, or melted chocolate, refrigerate after 2 days.

CASHEW LEMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• 2. Place cashews in a food processor and process until finely ground.
• 3. Add butter, sugar, lemon extract, and vanilla. Process until well blended.
• 4. Add flour,1 cup at a time, pulsing until dough is well blended and begins to form a ball.
• 5. Refrigerate 1 hour or up to 2 weeks.
• 6. Shape dough into 1 1/2 in balls and roll in additional sugar.
• 7. Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined or ungreased cookie sheets
• 8. Wet the bottom of a glass and dip into sugar then flatten dough balls with the glass.
• 9. Bake at 325 degrees for 17 to 19 minutes till slightly brown on the edges.
• 10. just an fyi... you can make this recipe with a regular mixer as long as the cashews are pulverized.

CASHEW SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and sugar; beat at high speed for appx 3 minutes with electric mixer.
• Stir in cashews.
• Sift flour, salt, & baking powder directly into the bowl.
• Use your hands to mix the dough as quickly and efficiently as possible; form into a rough ball.
• Lightly flour a clean, dry work surface; add dough and roll out to appx 1/4" thick.
• Cut into simple shapes and place them on ungreased cookie sheet. (I cut them into diamonds, similar to bakalava -- didn't want to over-work the dough by re-rolling).
• Bake in center of oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.
• Cool for at least 10 minutes before eating.

CASHEW-LEMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place cashews in food processor; process until finely ground. Add butter, sugar, lemon extract and vanilla; process until well blended. Add flour; process using on/of pulses until dough is well blended and forms ball.
• Shape dough in 1 1/2-inch balls; roll in additional sugar. Place about 2-inches apart on ungreased baking sheet; flatten slightly with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.
• Bake 18 minutes or just until set and edges are slightly browned. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely.