Shortbread cookie help

[LEFSElover]

morning from Tulsa Ok....
I am sure the subject of shortbread has come up many a time over the time this board has been established. I need help with something. Question is, on a layover in a hotel I was staying in, and now can't remember the hotel or the country it was in even, there was a basket of goodies left for us in our rooms as is often times the case. Well, you know in that basket was a gold bag from a company that included smallish, walnut sized, shortbread surrounded truffles. In other words, truffles inside, but who knew , and on the outside, completely covering the chocolate, was THEE most tender shortbread cookie ever eating by man, or in this case, woman, that being me . My question is, anyone know how this was done? Anyone know the question of the universe which is how to make sinfully tender shortbread? Oh please, help this woman out

[PA Baker]

Lefse, I know exactly what you're talking about but I've only seen the cookies in gourmet stores. I believe there's a mold that you can get to make this type of cookie. I'll look through all of my cookbooks when I have a chance and see what I can learn/remember.

By the way, it's great to see you back on DC!!!

[PA Baker]

Aha! I found it!

Here's the link to a description of the cookie molds:
http://shop.bakerscatalogue.com/deta...=1125435349247

And here's a picture:

[LEFSElover]

gosh PA Baker, thanks for the help. Now, if you can help me with the most tender/delicate of cookie dough (for the shortbread) it'd really make me smile! Thanks for the welcome back. I get discouraged with these types of boards often times, and that's stupid of me. I just expect everyone to be exactly like me in my thinking. You're a doll to have supported my quiry, again, (((((((((((((PABAker))))))))))))))) OH, and the link worked for me, I'll have to check out the prices of the presses

[licia]

I got an "expired link" message.

[htc]

LEFSElover, the Leo in you should come out ROARING. I'm a Leo as well, so can understan (add to that me being a Dragon)

[Michael in FtW]

Lefse, I wasn't ignoring you ... I just didn't have an answer!

Looks like PA Baker got you started .... as for a recipe, just start with a basic shortbread/butter cookie recipe and see how it turns out. If it's not tender enough - next time increase the butter a little ("shorten" it). I'm sure you will not be short of cookie testers who will be more than glad to eat your experiments.

[kitchenelf]

This is a recipe that I've used many times - I have never had a more tender butter cookie. I know it's not shortbread but it sure is tender like you asked for.

1/2 lb. butter, softened
3/4 cup cornstarch, sifted
1/3 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
1 cup flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix everything well - batter will be stiff
3. Drop from teaspoon onto greased baking sheet
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes

I have also put this icing on them. You have to be really careful because they will fall apart - but that's ok too because you get to eat those!!!!

3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix cream cheese and sugar; add vanilla

Frost tops of cookies while still warm - and again, handle carefully.

[Michael in FtW]

Shhh elf ... don't tell anyone ... but "short" refers to the fat/butter content.

[kitchenelf]

I won't tell a sole, oh wait, that's a fish!!! (now it's your turn not to tell a sole - these are soooooo flaky and tender and the shortbread I've had is a tad more firm so I thought it may have been a difference in flour/sugar/or something - I guess in this case it's the cornstarch????)

AND I know I'm short but you don't have to call me fat