Citrus Cornmeal Shortbread Food

CITRUS CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and zest. Mix until combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, and salt; mix until well combined, about 3 minutes. Halve dough; shape each into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place remaining 1/4 cup cornmeal on a sheet of parchment paper. Roll log in cornmeal to coat. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and space them 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until pale golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on sheet on a wire rack.

CITRUS CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, grated orange peel and grated lemon peel with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. On medium-low speed, beat in flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal and the salt until blended. Stir in candied orange and lemon peel.
• Shape dough into 2 (8-inch) logs. Roll logs in 2 tablespoons cornmeal. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Unwrap dough; cut each log into 1/4-inch slices. On ungreased cookie sheets, place slices 2 inches apart.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

ROSEMARY-CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• 1. Lightly grease a 9 1/4-inch (23 cm) fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended. 2. Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric handheld mixer fitted with wire beaters). Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the rosemary and vanilla and beat on medium until blended and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough forms moist clumps. Dump the dough into the prepared pan. Using lightly floured fingertips, press the dough into the pan to form an even layer. Make sure to press the dough into the scalloped edges to form a clean edge. Sprinkle the fleur de sel or sanding sugar, if using, evenly over the top. 3. Using the tip of a knife or a bench scraper, score the dough all the way through, forming 16 wedges. With the tines of a fork, prick each wedge twice all the way through, starting at the widest part of the wedge and spacing them about 1/2 inch (12 mm) apart. Lightly flour the tines of the fork as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking. Slide the pan into the freezer or fridge for about 10 minutes while the oven heats. 4. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C/gas 2). 5. Bake the shortbread until the top looks dry and very pale brown, 39 to 41 minutes. Move the pan to a rack. Using a small paring or serrated knife (I don't use a bench scraper for this because it compresses the cookies' edges), immediately recut the wedges using the scored lines as a guide. Let the shortbread cool completely before removing them from the pan. 6. Serve the cookies with a dusting of confectioners' sugar.
• Instead of the rosemary, use one of the following combinations: Double ginger: 2 tsp. finely grated fresh ginger + 1/3 cup (1 3/8 oz./39 g) finely chopped crystallized ginger (add both with the vanilla). Cinnamon toast: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon added to the flour + 1 Tbs. granulated sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon sprinkled over the shortbread and pressed lightly into the dough before baking. Espresso chip: 1/2 tsp. instant espresso powder (dissolved in the vanilla extract) + 1/3 cup (2 oz./57 g) finely chopped bittersweet chocolate.
• To make rectangular cookies: Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan (the straight-sided type makes for a cleaner-looking cookie) with parchment. Prepare the dough as directed. Using lightly floured fingertips, press the dough into the pan to form an even layer. Using the tip of a knife or a bench scraper (my tool of choice), score the dough all the way through, forming 1 x 2-inch (2.5 x 5 cm) bars. With the tines of a fork, prick each bar two or three times all the way through, spacing them evenly and on the diagonal. Lightly flour the tines of the fork as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking. Proceed as directed.
• To make round cookies: Have ready two cookie sheets lined with parchment or nonstick liners. Prepare the dough as directed. Arrange a large piece of parchment on the work surface and scrape the dough onto the center. Cover with another piece of parchment and press down on the dough to flatten. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough between the parchment to a 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness, turning, lifting, and repositioning the parchment and lightly flouring throughout the rolling. Slide the dough onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Remove the top piece of parchment from the chilled dough. Using a 2 1/2-inch (6 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Using the end of a straw, punch out three holes in the center of each round. Arrange about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Stack the scraps, gently press together, reroll, chill, and cut as directed. Slide the cookie sheets into the fridge while the oven heats (at least 15 minutes). Bake, one sheet at a time, until the tops look dry and very pale brown, 26 to 28 minutes.

CITRUS SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts and orange zest. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the cranberries; mixing just enough to evenly combine.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal portions, then roll into logs about 7 inches long. Wrap each log in wax paper or plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove wax paper, and cut the cookie dough into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
• Bake in the preheated oven until firm but not browned, about 10 minutes.

SHORTBREAD, 10 WAYS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Pulse together flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter and pulse to fine crumbs. Pulse a few more times until some of the crumbs start to come together, but don't overprocess; the dough should be somewhat crumbly. (You can also mix the dough in a bowl using two knives or a pastry cutter.)
• Press dough into an even layer in an ungreased 8- or 9-inch-square baking pan, or a 9-inch pie pan. Prick dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes for the 9-inch square or pie pan, 45 to 50 minutes for the 8-inch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Cut into squares, bars or wedges while still warm.

LEMON CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, lemon peel and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Gradually add flour and cornmeal, beating just until blended. Divide dough in half. On waxed paper or plastic wrap, shape half of dough into 6-inch square. Repeat with remaining half of dough. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
• Heat oven to 325°F. On lightly floured surface, cut each square of dough into 6 rows by 3 rows. On ungreased cookie sheets, place rectangles about 1 inch apart. Prick with fork.
• Bake 17 to 19 minutes or until set and edges begin to brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter. Add the powdered sugar and mix in. Add the vanilla extract and mix in. Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended.
• Roll into 1 1/2-inch logs and roll in cornmeal to coat. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least one hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Slice shortbread dough thinly and bake on a silpat or parchment paper for 12 to 15 minutes. The shortbread will still be blonde, and they will crisp once cool.

CITRUS CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Put butter and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and zest. Mix until combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
• Reduce speed to low. Add flour, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, and the salt; mix until well combined, about 3 minutes. Halve dough; shape each into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each in plastic, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place remaining 1/4 cup cornmeal on a sheet of parchment paper. Roll logs in cornmeal to coat. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and space rounds 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until pale golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on sheet on a wire rack. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

CORNMEAL CITRUS COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat butter, sugar and salt and citrus zest on med speed until very fluffy and well blended.
• Add egg yolk and mix until well blended.
• add egg and vanilla.
• Beat well.
• Reduce speed to low and beat in cornmeal and flour until just combined.
• Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic; refrigerate until firm, at least one hour (Dough can be refrigerated for two days or frozen for a month).
• To bake, position rack in upper third of oven and another rack in lower third.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Remove one disk of dough from fridge and cut in half.
• Return unused portion to fridge.
• EITHER-- scoop cookie dough into 1-tbsp balls with small ice cream scoop and roll each ball between palms till smooth.
• Place dough balls on parchment lined cookie sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
• Using the bottom of a smooth glass dipped in flour (I used turbinado sugar!) gently flatten each dough ball to about 1.
• 8 inch thickness.
• OR-- Lightly flour work surface.
• Roll dough to 1/3 inch thick, using offset spatula to loosen dough.
• sprinkle surface lightly with flour as needed.
• Cut dough into desired shapes.
• Plase shapes on parchment lined cookie sheets, spacing about 1/2 inch apart.
• Get as many dough shapes out of each sheet because dough should*only be rolled twice.
• *Discard any leftover dough after second folling, or form leftover dough into balls and flatten to 1/8 inch thick.
• Bake 2 sheets at a time, until cookies are evenly golden brown.
• ,6 to 8 minutes.
• Rotate sheets halfway through baking for even browning.
• Using thin-bladed spatula, immediately transfer to cooling racks.
• Decorate if desired.

CORNMEAL LIME SHORTBREAD FANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grate 1 teaspoon zest from the limes. (You can usually get 1 teaspoon from 1 lime, but you may need to grate some zest off the other.) Add to a food processor.
• Add flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt and pulse once or twice to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Pulse a few more times until some of the crumbs start to come together, but don't overprocess the dough. It should be somewhat crumbly and not form a ball. (Alternatively, you can mix this in a bowl using two knives, or use a pastry cutter to mix the butter into the flour.)
• Press the dough into an even layer in an ungreased, fluted 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom or in a 9-inch pie pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden brown, about 40 to 50 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Using a butter knife, cut the shortbread into 12 wedges while still warm.
• Make the glaze: Halve the zested lime and squeeze 1 tablespoon juice into a small bowl. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and, if you like, more lime juice to taste. (More lime juice will make the glaze thinner and more tart, while less lime juice yields a thicker, sweeter glaze.) Drizzle glaze over the cooled shortbread, then zest the second lime over the icing before it sets. (Use a citrus zester, if you have one, or a regular zester, if you don't.)

CITRUS CORNMEAL CAKE

Steps:

• Coat a 9-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat the yogurt, honey, oil, egg, egg whites and extract until well blended. Combine the flour, cornmeal and baking powder; gradually beat into yogurt mixture until blended. Stir in orange zest., Pour into prepared pan. Arrange oranges over batter; sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature.

LIME CORNMEAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Position oven rack in the center of oven; preheat to 300°; have a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom at hand.
• Add the flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, and salt to the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended.
• Add in the sugar and lime zest; process for a few seconds, until blended.
• Scatter the butter cubes over the flour mixture; pulse 6 or 7 times.
• Add in the vanilla extract; then process for 6 seconds, or until the crumbs are fine and powdery.
• Process for another 5 to 7 seconds, until the crumbs are clumpier and the dough holds together easily when pressed.
• Press the crumbs evenly and firmly into the tart pan.
• Press the back of the tines of a fork all over the edges of the pan, and sprinkle the shortbread with the coarse sugar.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes, until it is just barely colored around the edges; don't let it brown.
• Place the pan on a wire rack; cool for 15 minutes.
• Remove the rim of the pan, and cut the round into 16 wedges while it is still very warm.
• Transfer the triangles to the wire rack and cool completely.