Cookie #7 in "The 12 Cookies of Christmas"

A few years ago I attended a Christmas party at a woman's house in Leavenworth, Kansas.  She had gotten these amazing cookies from a bakery in town.  These are a favorite of the family and are my own version of that wonderful cookie.

Maple Nut Shortbread cookies

For the shortbread:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

1 bag snack size snickers bars, cut each bar into 3 pieces.

Preparation:

Mix together the flour and salt in a bowl and set aside. Cream together the butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt mixture a small amount at a time, kneading into creamed mixture with your hands until you have a stiff dough which can be rolled. Do not overwork the dough.

Turn dough onto floured surface and pat or roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into squares [or any shape you want] and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325° for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown.  

As soon as you take them out of the oven place a slice of snickers bar on top.  When they are cool, drizzle with maple frosting glaze.

Maple Frosting Glaze:

2 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1/4 tsp. maple extract
2-3 tbsp. milk

Beat frosting until a nice drizzling consistency.

 Cool and store in airtight containers. Makes about 3 dozen. 

Until next time.....