This is my favorite recipe because there's no egg in it, which means you can eat the dough. :) It's also not very messy, and plenty of opportunities for kids to help. The original recipe doesn't look very festive...rather bland, actually, which is why we've started calling these Scooby Snacks; they look kind of like dog treats! But, the end has a more festive alteration! Enjoy:
Slice & Bake Cinnamon Sugar Shortbread
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
-Combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy (2-minutes). Reduce speed to low, and add flour slowly. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until mixture forms a dough (1-2 minutes).
-Divide dough into fourths. Shape each fourth into logs, about 1 inch in diameter (length doesn't really matter, and the diameter depends on what size you want your cookies to be; we like them smaller because then they're "bite size")
-Roll to create round logs and wrap in plastic wrap. OR, wrap in plastic first, and then shape logs into triangles or squares by pressing the logs flat on each side. (This is where kids love to help.) Refrigerate at least one hour.
-Heat oven to 385. Cut logs into 1/2" slices with a sharp knife. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Cool slightly.
-In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon. Roll warm cookies (or swirl around and fish out with slotted spoon) in mixture and cool.
Alternative: use colored sugar for a festive look. I did a combo of red and green last year and it looked really pretty.
Also, you can freeze the logs once wrapped in plastic wrap. Just throw into a freezer bag and defrost in frige overnight before cutting and baking. This is great to make in a large batch, and just grab a log or two when you want a great little treat. Also perfect for taking frozen logs to the cabin...by the time you get there it's defrosted and ready to bake, and who doesn't love home-made baked goods on vacation!!
