Strawberry Shortbread

Submitted by Boyz 5

"Many people think shortbread is for Christmas, but this fruity version proves the opposite. In fact, these little treats add a burst of springtime to the sweet or ladies luncheon trays."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 45 cookies

ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄3 cup instant dissolving fruit sugar or 1/3 cup berry sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

• GLAZE

• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 4 teaspoons milk
• 2 drops red food coloring
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

directions

1. In bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt. Stir in flour.
2. Between waxed paper, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using 2 or 3-inch decorative cookie cutters, cut out shapes. Freeze on parchment paper-lined rimless baking sheets for 10 minutes until firm.
3. Bake in center of 300°F oven for 30-35 minutes or until firm to the touch and slightly golden around edges. Transfer to racks; let cool.

4. GLAZE:

5. Strain jam through fine sieve into large bowl to remove pieces of strawberry. Beat in icing sugar,1 tablespoon of the milk and food colouring, adding up to 1 teaspoon more milk to make spreadable if necessary.
6. Spread glaze over tops of cookies. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let stand for about 4 hours or until glaze is set.