Macadamia Nut Shortbread Recipes

MACADAMIA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Put the macadamia nuts and sugar in a food processor and pulse until they reach the texture of fine crumbs.
• Then add the vanilla extract and butter, and pulse again until smooth.
• Add 4.4 ounces of the flour, and pulse until just combined.
• Remove and knead in as much of the remaining flour as you need to create a smooth dough.
• Roll the dough in plastic wrap, to form a log approximately 20cm in length, then refrigerate for half an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Take the dough log from the fridge, cut into 0.5cm-thick slices.
• Push a few extra macadamia pieces into each biscuit, then remove the plastic wrap.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for eight to nine minutes, until just set.
• Cool the biscuits on a tray, then transfer them to a wire rack.
• Store in an airtight container.

COCONUT MACADAMIA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. and generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan.
• In a food processor, pulse nuts and granulated sugar just until ground fine (do not grind to a paste).
• In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter with confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, nut mixture and 1/4 cup coconut. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture until just combined.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead dough 5 to 8 times, or until it just comes together. With floured hands (dough will be sticky) press dough evenly into prepared baking pan and sprinkle with remaining 5 tablespoons coconut,pressing lightly to make it adhere. Bake shortbread in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until pale golden.
• While shortbread is still warm, loosen edges from pan with a small knife and cut into 8 wedges. Let shortbread cool in pan. Carefully transfer shortbread to a platter.

CHOCOLATE CHIP-MACADAMIA NUT BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend flour and sugar in processor. Add butter; process using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to 8-inch square glass baking dish. Press mixture onto bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of dish. Bake until crust is golden brown on edges, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling:
• Whisk sugar, flour, eggs, butter and vanilla extract to blend in large bowl. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
• Pour filling into warm crust, smoothing surface. Bake until filling is golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 50 minutes. Transfer dish to rack; cool completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.) Cut int 16 squares.