Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Dark Chocolate Shortbread





From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I first made this shortbread for a friend who enjoyed afternoon tea. She also loved chocolate and challenged friends who baked to make a chocolate shortbread that would be good enough to serve at a tea she was planning as a fundraiser. Now, I must admit, the only reason I agreed to participate in the challenge was that I already had a recipe that I knew worked and I was more than happy to share it with others. The recipe originally came from Gourmet magazine and it can now be found on Epicurious, which seems to have become the repository for all of Gourmet's published recipes. If you decide to make these cookies you might want to review the comments about the recipe which you can find here. I've made this shortbread at least ten times without incident, so I thought I'd share a few things I've learned with you. Some folks have problems with the cookies spreading as they cook. I chill my dough in the freezer on thin baking sheets for 30 minutes before baking. I let it sit, for 5 minutes or so, at room temperature before docking the formed cookie dough and baking the discs. I've never had a problem with the dough spreading as it bakes. As silly as it may seem, I also make sure that the disks I bake are exactly 6 inches in diameter and religiously follow baking and cooling instructions that are given in the recipe. Again, I've had no problems. This is a lovely shortbread and I know you'll really enjoy it if I can get you to try it. It is very easy to make. Here's the recipe.

Dark Chocolate Shortbread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Gourmet magazine

Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

Directions
1) Blend butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a bowl with a fork until combined well. Sift flour and cocoa into butter mixture and blend with fork just until mixture forms a soft dough.
2) Divide dough in half and pat out with floured fingertips into 2 (6- to 6 1/2-inch) rounds on an ungreased large baking sheet. Chill dough, uncovered, until firm, about 30 minutes.
3) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. while dough chills.
4) Prick dough all over with fork and bake shortbread disks in middle of oven until centers are dry when touched and edges are slightly darker, about 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet on a rack 10 minutes, then cut each shortbread into 8 wedges with a large heavy knife. Transfer to rack to cool. Yield: 16 coookies.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars - Annie's Eats
Shortbread Berry Tarts - Sydney's Kitchen
Shortbread Toffee Bars - Karista's Kitchen
Shortbread Lemon Tart - Sweet Sensations
Buttery Lavender Shortbread - The Purple Foodie
Millionaires Shortbread - Delicious Dishings

79 comments :

Faith said...

Oooh those are so pretty!!! Sounds like a great recipe!

Banana Wonder said...

That is some super dark chocolate looking shortbread! Delicious. I am glad you too this challenge :-)

Alessandra said...

I have never seen a chocolate shortbread, here in New Zealand they are all plain butter white! I am curious now and am sure that it tastes great. Thank you for the tips about chilling, baking and cooling :-)

ciao

Alessandra

Anonymous said...

I just purchased another container of Dutch processed cocoa, so this should be a great recipe to try!

Cherine said...

Gorgeous shortbreads! Would love to have one with my cup of coffee!

Lucie said...

These sound great with a cup of tea! I can imagine it must be a little harder to judge when they're done because of the color, but it sure seems like it's worth it.

Three-Cookies said...

I've never tried choc shortbread, this has gotten me curious.

Sushma Mallya said...

its so beautiful!!!very nice

Treat and Trick said...

These are fantastic! I'd love to try this recipe. Beautiful photos...

Red Nomad OZ said...

I've generally found the addition of chocolate to improve almost anything!!

Mathematical precision and my standard dishes are usually mutually exclusive - but happy to make an exception if it turns out this good!!

penny aka jeroxie said...

I love to have a cup of tea with this :)

Tanna said...

Those are as beautiful as they sound delicious!!

Martha said...

I will have to try that for I love shortbread!

Ana Powell said...

Great hints, I am sure if anyone follows them the shortbread would not get wrong.
Thanks for your information ♥

Carol said...

What a delicious picture! I would love this with my coffee right now!

Sanjeeta kk said...

These shortbread looks so easy to bake and eggless too. Sure in my priority list!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

What a beautiful photo you took of this gorgeous shortbread.

Happy February 1, Mary.

Fondly,
Glenda

Unknown said...

I must try this! I have been looking for a good chocolate shortbread recipe.. and dark chocolate is even better!! Thanks for sharing, Mary!

Kim said...

I love shortbread with tea or coffee. This chocolate version looks really good (I'm chocolat addict)! I like the fact taht you share some of your experience with us. Thanks for all your generosity as usual. Have a good day, Mary!

The Food Hound said...

Shortbread in ANY form is fabulous!! Love it always!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I've never tried to make chocolate shortbread - what a nice change of pace, and so great that everything I need is already in the pantry.

Arlene Delloro said...

I've made many kinds of shortbread, including oatmeal shortbread, but never chocolate. Will certainly try these soon.

Clint said...

Beautifully presented. Looks delicious!

Chele said...

Fab shortbread. Yum!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Buttery and chocolatey....these are possitively sinful.

Brandie@thecountrycook said...

I am a big fan of shortbread but you know, I've never made chocolate shortbread before! Looks wonderful!!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I have fallen head over heels in love with dark chocolate and there's no turning back for me.
Sam

Beverly said...

Mary, I adore shortbread, and I've never had chocolate shortbread.

I just might venture a try with this.

June said...

Sounds like you've hit on another keeper Mary. I can't wait to make this later in the week when the big guy's away and I don't have to share. Ha.

Pondside said...

I am a shortbread fan - if there's only one cookie to be made, that's got to be it. I've never tried a chocolate shortbread though. Since I have some time at home, perhaps I'll do that. I made cookies yesterday and my plan is to bake some every day to deal with the stream of people waiting to come to see The Great Dane. I'm a bit of a gate keeper right now, as he tires so easily, but soon.....

FOODESSA said...

First off...what a beautiful inviting photo...calls me to have a cup of coffee with you.

Mary...Thanks for sharing this recipe along with your great experience in the kitchen ;o)

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

I love shortbread! I never thought you could improve on it. But chocolate shortbread? Inspired!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Love2cook Malaysia said...

OMG, those chocolate shortbreads are simply tempting me! Loved the intense dark color! :D

Leslie said...

Well what a delicious chocolaty challenge!!!

Josie @Skinny Way Of Life said...

So pretty! I love how there's very few ingredients needed!

The Blonde Duck said...

I never knew you could have chocolate shortbread!

Unknown said...

I love shortbread, and have never thought to pair it with dark chocolate. This sounds amazing though! So yummy:) Thanks for visiting my blog too:)

PeggyR said...

Oh another yummy recipe!

Rosy said...

I love dark chocolate anything but have always had issues making short bread. I'll definitely have to try this recipe.

The Red Umbrella said...

This looks like shortbread heaven.

Molly Anne said...

Not only does it look good but it looks pretty too!

Barbara said...

This recipe would be perfect for all the meeting I have, Mary. I'm copying it AND your suggestions right now.
I so wish we had formal teas in this country. You can find it here and there and always at hotels, but day to day we just don't do it. Such a shame!
(on the other hand, it's one more meal I don't need!)

C&G said...

wow! can i order some for tomorrow morning?!

Katerina said...

I believe you when you say that you follow a certain procedure every time you bake. Pastry is the art of precision. These shortbreads look perfect for me.

Lori said...

I would like some of these with my Chai that I am about to drink.

Asteri (Maria) said...

WOW! It looks delicious!!!!!! One piece for me :)

Priya Suresh said...

Prefect and pretty shortbread..

Angie's Recipes said...

I love shortbread! Those wedges look so chocolatey and yummy!

Caroline Taylor said...

I wish I was eating these with a nice cup of tea right now! I've made it before but always wanted it a bit more chocolatey. These look like they'll hit the spot.

From the Kitchen said...

This recipe is printing out as I type. You really must stop posting chocolate recipes--soon. Well, not too soon but.... Oh forget it. Just keep them coming!!

Best,
Bonnie

Eileen said...

Sounds delicious and worth trying. Thanks for sharing.

That Girl said...

I've found that chocolate shortbread is a sure fire crowd pleaser

teresa said...

just gorgeous, a perfect accessory to a tea party. and they sound delicious!

Karen Harris said...

These look delicious. I have a friend who makes a beautiful lemon rosemary shortbread. They would make a lovely combo with your chocolate.

Unknown said...

Beautiful recipe and pictures! I love shortbread and have never made a chocolate version! Perfect for the season too! Thanks Mary!

Unknown said...

the coated tips are fantastic

Ginny Hartzler said...

This DOES look easy and I'm going to try it!!

-Arielle- said...

Yum! This looks like a delicious dessert. Not too overpowering, which I like!

A Canadian Foodie said...

I think I used a recipe almost identical to this to make chocolate shortbread tart shells... the cut and powdered sugar and photo looks so spa like and serene and "good for you". Oh, Mary! Naughty! Naughty!
:)
Valerie

Juliana said...

Oh Mary, this chocolate shortbread looks delicious, would love it with a cup of tea :-)

Lady Katherine said...

What could be more perfect for Tea! So happy you have the recipe, as we say down to pat! They look wonderful! Love you to share these on Tea Time Tuesday.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos Mary, the shortbread looks so delicious. I like this recipe and am curious to try it with different kinds of cocoa powder;-)

Joanne said...

I've actually never made shortbread before but I really want to! Dark chocolate definitely seems like the way to go!

xinex said...

I think can make this cause I have all the ingredients. It looks good, Mary...Christine

Anonymous said...

I love the presentation of this shortbread with the ends dipped in powdered sugar!

Claudia said...

Oh Mary - how welcoming that is. Thanks for the hints. I do read the comments to get baking tips! I love how you "knew" you already had a tea-serving-worthy shortbread recipe!

Pam said...

Great presentation Mary... your chocolate shortbread looks wonderful.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Mary, I've never ever had chocolate shortbread before, and those are two of my favorite things. This sounds so good, and it's a nice presentation, too!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

This is just begging to be dunked in a glass of tea!! Yummy! :)

art is in the kitchen said...

Wow, chocolate shortbread!!! Never thought or made shortbread with chocolate. Can't wait to try this fabulous recipe of yours. Mary, this is another perfect bite for me I'm sure! Thanks for sharing! Bless you!!!

Bakericious said...

the chocolate shortbread looks chocolaty and yummy.

deb said...

OMG!! That looks scrumptous!!
*hugs*deb

Jena said...

I just whipped this up while my son was getting ready for school, they were done right after I got back. Delicious and perfect with my coconut coffee!

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said...

O my goodness those are gorgeous and they look absolutely delicious. I don't know if I have ever heard dark chocolate and shortbread in the same recipe but I am glad I found it here! This sounds and looks like a fantastic recipe.

I wanted to thank you for your incredibly kind comment on my blog. I appreciate it so much and I am so happy you found recipes you liked! I hope to see you back soon and I cannot wait to see more recipes on your awesome blog!

Monet said...

Such a stunning presentation! I love how you dipped the points in powdered sugar. And I imagine that freezing the dough for 30 minutes makes a huge difference. What a great tip! These look just delicious, my friend. I hope you are warm and happy on this cold winter night. Sweet dreams and many blessings!

Harika baratam said...

Wow looks delish first time in your blog and i am fan of your lovely recipes too mary keep going...

A Girl In Her Kitchen said...

That looks delicious!

Sandra said...

This looks perfect, love the presentation.

thedreamfollower said...

I made these last night and they're delicious!!! Simply melt in your mouth! Thank you!

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