Ribbon Cookies & Chocolate Chip Shortbread Logs

Every year, I bake for my friends and family. I love to give the cookies away as gifts. My picky eating, always complaining brother asks me daily during the month of December if I have started baking. My husband takes a huge platter to work. I take them with us to Christmas parties.

I make anywhere between 8-10 different types of cookies. -Usually doubling the recipe batch. I always make these Ribbon Cookies and Chocolate Chip Shortbread Logs. I got the Ribbon Cookies from a Taste of Home Recipe about 8 years ago and I can't tell you where I got the Shortbread Logs. I have just been making them forever. =)


Ribbon Cookies
1 c. Butter (No Substitutions)
1/2 C. Sugar
1 Egg
1 t. Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 C. All-Purpose Flour
1/2 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt
1/2 c. Jam- I use Raspberry, Blackberry, Strawberry Rhubarb and Lemon Curd

Cream butter and sugar. Add in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl add flour, salt and baking powder. Slowly add to butter mixture. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each portio ninto a 10 inch by 2 1/2 inch log. Place 4 inches apart on foil lined pan. Make a 1/2 inch depression down the center of the log. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Fill Depression with your favorite jam. Bake another 10-15 minutes or until slightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes. Remove to cutting board and cut into 3/4 inch slices. (It is important to do this while the cookies are still warm.)

Glaze
1 C. Confectioners Sugar
2 T. Milk
1/2 t. vanilla

Mix together. Drizzle over warm cookies. Let Cool.


Chocolate Chip Shortbread Logs
1 C. Butter, Softened
1/2 c. Confectioners Sugar, sifted
2 C. All-Purpose Flour
1 t. Vanilla
2 C. Mini Chocolate Chips
1 T. Shortening
1 C. Nuts, Crushed (Pecans, Walnuts, Almonds) Optional

Cream butter and sugar til smooth. Stir in vanilla. Incorporate flour and add 1 cup of chocolate chips. Form dough into logs- 1/2 inch by 2 inches. Place on parchment or foil lined cookie sheet. Cook for 10-13 minutes. Let cookie cool completely on sheet as shortbread can be brittle.

Melt remaining chocolate chips and shortening over double boiler. Dip end of cookie into mixture then roll in nuts. Place on waxed paper and let cool. I usually dip half in chocolate and half in chocolate and then roll in nuts.


Merry Christmas Everybody! Enjoy. =)