Chocolate Dipped Shortbread

From the Chronicle Kitchen: Very Merry Cookie Party

Posted by Chronicle Books

About

Makes 16 wedges

Chocolate chips melt faster than bar chocolate and firm up nicely as a coating, but you can also use a top-quality bittersweet chocolate. You will need 6 ounces; chop it before melting.

Cookie Exchange Tip
Play up the Scottish origin of these treats by decorating the tray with ribbons in red-and-green plaid.

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You Will Need (6 things)

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter , at room temperature
  • ⅗ cup Confectioners Sugar
  • 1 ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 cup All Purpose Flour
  • ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 cup semisweet Chocolate Chips

Steps (7 steps, 40 minutes)

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two 8-inch square baking pans with aluminum foil, letting it slightly overhang 2 sides of the pan. (These “handles” will make it easier to lift the shortbread sheet from the pan.)

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour and cocoa just until mixed. The dough will be stiff.

  3. 3

    Divide the dough in half. Press each half evenly into the bottom of a prepared pan. With a small, sharp knife, lightly score each shortbread sheet into 8 even wedges, being careful not to cut through the dough completely.

  4. 4

    Bake on the top rack of the oven until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on wire racks.

  5. 5

    Retrace the scored lines in both pans with the knife. Grasp the foil on 2 sides and lift carefully to remove the shortbread sheet from each pan. Break gently into wedges.

  6. 6

    Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or in the top of a double boiler. Microwave at 80 percent power or heat over (not touching) barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly.

  7. 7

    Dip one pointed end of each cooled shortbread wedge in the melted chocolate and set on a wire rack. Let stand until the chocolate sets.