Festive Rosemary and Toasted Caraway Shortbread


I don’t know about you but if I don’t know how I accomplished my Christmas shopping before the internet. This year has definitely gotten away from me and I can’t seem to get back on track. Thank goodness for Amazon prime 2 day free shipping. Today I decided to take a breather and just enjoy the little things around me. The smell of our fresh Christmas tree, the lights, and our neighbor's outdoor home decorations. (My sister gave me a few veggie ornaments, see above.)


The recipe today is a sweet and savory shortbread. It is laced with rosemary and toasted caraway seeds and then topped with a touch of sanding sugar. The savory and sweet notes offset each other perfectly and the more crispy parts along the edges were my favorite. I think that this is a very sophisticated and festive baked treat and I will be making this again, freezing it and then baking it a few hours before guest arrive. Next time I might try fresh thyme and lemon zest, I can see so many possibilities.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon caraway seeds
2 sticks chilled butter (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1/2 cup regular sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary (fined chopped)
1 inch sprig rosemary, leaves removed whole to sprinkle on top
1 large egg (beaten to blend)
Turbinado or sanding sugar (for sprinkling on top)

To Prepare:

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare two-8: diameter cake pans with butter and then dust with a sprinkling of flour. Set aside.

In a small dry skillet over medium-high heat toast caraway seeds, tossing occasionally about 2 minutes. Set aside.

Using an electric or stand mixer add sugars and butter together and mix until light and fluffly. Recipes reads 7 to 10 minutes. I mixed the entire 10 minutes, stopping long enough to quickly push down the sides.


Reduce the mixer to low and add flour, caraway seeds and rosemary, mix until just combined. Dough will not look perfect. Pat dough into a oblong ball and then cut in half. Press dough into each pan using your fingers and the back of a large spoon. Brush with egg and then sprinkle with turbinado or sanding sugar and top each with the whole rosemary leaves.


Bake until shortbread is golden brown on top 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer pans to wire rack. After pans have cooled, turn out gently. Cut into slices. Enjoy!


Recipe had been slightly adapted from Bon Appetit, magazine, December 2013.






Comments

  1. I often wonder how I managed to work, raise two kids and get through Christmas with family living a thousand miles away and not fall over. I was able to do all my American family Christmas gifts in about 3 hours and the packages have arrived.

    Now I can sit back and make this wonderful recipe!

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    1. Hi Maureen, I know it's crazy, but even crazier why am I running out of time when things are supposed to be much easier? Anyway, Happy Holidays to you!

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  2. Did you manage any of the 1penny specials on Amazon? I think I would prefer the lemon zest and thyme recipe. Caraway reminds me too much of rye bread :)

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    1. Hi Tandy, no did not even realize they had them, will remember for next year though.

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  3. Aww...lucky you getting done with all your Christmas shopping! And now just baking great-looking breads :). Getting to the finish line soon ;)

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx

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  4. I need to make breads more often. This looks fantastic, Cheri. I am no anywhere near done with shopping and am in panic mode now because I have no idea what to buy, lol.
    Always love seeing what you will come up with next. Great recipe!

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    1. Hi Robyn, I sometimes work better under pressure, panic mode can be a good thing:)

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  5. Wonderful flavors! Perfect with cheese.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  6. These are a great partner to a bowl of steaming hot soup!

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  7. I am likewise indebted to amazon prime, Cheri! These sweet & savory shortbreads look so good! Great nibble to have around for guests at a party.

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  8. I love the ornaments..AND this twist on plain rosemary shortbreads.I think I have to make these too:)
    I must admit online shopping is great.
    If you are a regular Amazon member though I have to say shipping has slipped..a lot.
    I was happy to find other companies that shipped within 2 days..free..no minimum amount.

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    1. Hi Monique, yes I found that more companies are shipping in 2 days free as well, can't beat the price. Thanks!

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  9. This reminds me of the Italian flatbread called focaccia. Looks amazing Cheri!

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  10. Thank goodness for online shopping! My sister and I have definitely been using it to make our Christmas shopping easier, and I bought all my boyfriend's presents online so I didn't have to trek around to tech stores with no idea what I was talking about!
    These shortbreads look like the perfect sweet/savoury nibble to have on hand with some sharp cheddar and a glass of bubbly while sitting and watching the Christmas lights :)

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    1. Hi Amy, great idea, these would taste great with some sharp cheddar and some bubbly, Happy Holidays!

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  11. I haven't bought or ordered one thing and Hanukkah starts tomorrow. Luckily, I have eight days to come through, which means I should have time to squeeze in baking this lovely shortbread!

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    1. Hi Abbe, this time of year seems to get crazier every year. Happy Holidays!

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  12. Think I'll try your thyme and lemon zest idea, as I've loads of fresh thyme on my windows. This really does sound deliciously festive. Oh, the superstore didn't stock quince this year - darn and drat!

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    1. Hi Johnny, such a shame about the quince, hope you find some soon. Let me know if you try the thyme and lemon, Happy Holidays!

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  13. This truly is right up my alley... I can smell the shortbread baking as I read your recipe.

    Merry Christmas, Cheri!

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    1. Hi Sandra, aaaw, your so sweet, Merry Christmas to you and Rick as well!

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  14. Looks fantastic Cheri!

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  15. A good savory shortbread is a real treat! This one looks fantastic. The pea pod ornament is so cute!. Merry Christmas!

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  16. What a wonderful and new version of shortbread.
    have a super day Cheri.
    :-) Mandy xo

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  17. I don't think I've ever had a savoury shortbread! This looks fabulous. I agree that before the internet, how did we do our shopping? I'm feeling very disorganised as actually haven't yet started my shopping. Horrifying! xx

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    1. Hi Charlie, I'm not quite done myself, but I am now trying to figure out what to fix for Christmas dinner.

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  18. I totally agree with how online gift shopping has helped us so much more this year. We are actually done all of our shopping so early for once except for a few little things here and there. Love this savory twist on shortbread,, it sounds fantastic!

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  19. A savory shortbread sounds so interesting! I bet the slightly sweet notes are fantastic! Beautiful!

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  20. Savory shortbread sounds amazing! I've never thought to do that -- and I love caraway and rosemary. :)

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  21. Actually, I usually do nearly all my shopping online, but this year I haven't at all! I just realised that while reading this post!
    I've never ever come across any savory shortbread before, but why not?? This sounds just wonderful. I bet it would be great with posh cheeses for Christmas tea!

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    1. Hi Helen, someone suggested a sharp cheddar, I think that's a great idea.

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  22. Damn delicious savoury bites!!!

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  23. This sounds like a wonderful shortbread, Cheri! I love using rosemary, and it's especially nice at the holidays!

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    1. Thanks Nancy, I love shortbread anything, though I enjoy it mainly for the holidays.

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  24. Beautiful flavors Cheri. I would love the aromas that would waft through my house while this bakes in my kitchen :-)

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  25. You are right, Cheri! This is one sophisticated swirl of sweet and savory mixed into perfection....P.s. I am sooo on the same page about time slipping away so swiftly. And am grateful for the Amazon Prime which help me fulfill my duties as Mrs. Santa!

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    1. Hi Kim. I know what is happening with time right now? never enough thats for sure.

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  26. I love those ornaments - they are so cute. This shortbread looks really different and tasty with the sweet/savory combination.

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  27. I really could not live without online shopping. It's an addiction!

    Love the sweet and savory in these! The herbs and spices are such a fun cookie twist.

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    1. Hi Joanne, I have not been to the mall in ages, love it!

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  28. Amazon Prime rules! As the only kind of shopping I like to do is for food, AP has saved me from ever having to enter the mall!

    The shortbread looks terrific! I like your idea for thyme and lemon!

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    1. Hi David, sounds like we shop pretty much the same way. Thanks!

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  29. I do almost all of my shopping via the internet, too. Hate crowded stores! Although I wonder if they're so crowded these days, with internet shopping so popular? Anyway, This is a lovely dish. It is indeed festive -- perfect for the holidays. Speaking of which, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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    1. Thanks John, seems like most of us shop via the internet, that's got to hurt the stores?

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  30. That looks delightful. I have rosemary in my garden and think I might do this. I also have a ton of caraway seeds to use up. You're way ahead of me. I've hardly shopped yet. Yikes

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    1. Thanks Angela, rosemary is a staple in my garden as well, it's the one herb I can grow all year round.

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  31. This is a great recipe and the combination of flavors sounds so good. I'll be sure to save this to try over the holidays.

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  32. I would be in serious trouble if it weren't for Amazon! Love this recipe. Enjoy the holidays!

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  33. This sounds and looks delicious. I am really enjoying shopping online at Amazon- especially since the stores are so crazy!

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    1. Hi Terri, sounds like a lot of us shop on line anymore. Happy Holidays to you!

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  34. This savory shortbread sounds wonderful!

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  35. I feel you on the Christmas shopping. Thank goodness for the Internet or I'd be panicking. These shortbreads sound so interesting!!! Shortbread is one of my favorites.

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    1. Hi Karen, not sure how I did it before, anyway.....Happy Holidays!

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  36. Before the internet...I don't know what i did! Even this year i only had to go to maybe one or two stores, tops! These savory shortbreads sound great!

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    1. Hi Phi, I'm exactly the same way, I only shop for food.......Happy Holidays!

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  37. ...yum! I am rosemary obsessed, and am saving this recipe.

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  38. Oh my gosh, this looks fantastic, Cheri. I've been MIA with all the Christmas activities, and starting gradually to get caught up on my favorite blogs :-) I love a sweet, savory, herby shortbread!!

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