Coffee Spice Shortbread With Crystallized Ginger Recipes

GINGER SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and 1 cup of sugar on medium-low speed, just until they are combined. (Don¿t whip!) Add the vanilla and 2 teaspoons water and mix until combined. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until the dough starts to come together. Add the ginger, then dump onto a surface generously dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough 3/8 inch thick and cut circles with a 2 3/4-inch plain round cookie cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges start to brown.
• Cool to room temperature and serve.

COFFEE-SPICE SHORTBREAD WITH CRYSTALLIZED GINGER

Steps:

• Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Mix flour, brown sugar, ground coffee, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt in processor 5 seconds. Add butter; using on/off turns, process until moist clumps begin to form. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough equally between two 9-inch- diameter tart pans with removable bottom. Press dough firmly and evenly onto bottom of each tart pan.
• Bake shortbread 25 minutes. Reverse position of pans and continue to bake until shortbread is golden brown and firm around edges but center is still just slightly soft, about 20 minutes longer. Cool shortbread in pans 5 minutes. Remove pan sides. Cut warm shortbread in each pan into 12 wedges. Cool completely.
• Mix powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons water, and vanilla in small bowl, adding more water by 1/4 teaspoonfuls, if necessary, for spreadable glaze. Using offset spatula, spread glaze thinly over cookies, leaving 1/2- inch border at edges. Sprinkle crystallized ginger over. Let stand until glaze is set, about 1 hour. Do ahead can be made 3 weeks ahead. Store airtight in freezer. Bring to room temperature before serving.

GINGERED SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9 1/2-inch springform pan.
• In a medium bowl, using a hand-held electric mixer at high speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light in color and texture, about 2 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour, rice flour, and ground ginger to make a soft dough. Stir in the crystallized ginger. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Using the tines of a fork, press around the perimeter of the dough. Prick the dough, reaching down to the bottom of the pan, into 12 wedges.
• Bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cut or break the shortbread into wedges, following the perforations in the dough. (The shortbread can be prepared up to 5 days ahead, stored in an airtight container at room temperature.)

SPICY GINGER SHORTBREADS

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, lemon peel and egg yolk with electric mixer on medium speed. Stir in 1 1/4 cups flour and the five-spice powder until dough holds together. Stir in ginger and pecans.
• Place dough on smooth surface sprinkled with 1 tablespoon flour. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into 6-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet with shortening or cooking spray, or line with cooking parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Cut dough into 1/4-inch slices. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring once, until softened and chips can be stirred smooth. Stir in powdered sugar and water. Add additional water, if needed, to achieve glaze consistency. Drizzle glaze over cookies. Let stand until set.