• Cookies,  Desserts,  Family,  Food Lovers

    Grandma Meikle’s Shortbread

    This recipe was gifted to me many years ago by my husband’s very dear Aunt. She was one of those people that I adored from the moment I met her; she was kind, soft-spoken, genuine. Early on, she shared this family recipe belonging to her mother with me and I am forever grateful. Each and every time I bake it, I lovingly think of her.

    I’m a firm believer in the concept of “make it your own”; almost every recipe I’ve ever tried has been tweaked in one way or another. But, there are just some recipes that should be followed to the letter…and this is one of them.

    I hope it becomes a family favorite in your home the way it is in mine.

    What about you? Do you have a cherished family recipe? I’d love to hear about it.

    Chat Soon…

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb. butter
    • 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 325°
    2. Cream butter* and sugar on medium/high speed
    3. On low speed, gradually add the flour. The dough will be stiff.
    4. Once the dough starts to come together, knead with your hands in the bowl until the bowl is clean and the dough is well mixed.
    5. Turn the dough out and press into a small ungreased pizza pan*
    6. Using a fork, press the tines gently around the edges creating a border and poke some holes in the center.*
    7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until nicely browned.
    8. Remove from oven and cut immediately into 16 pieces. Allow the shortbread to cool completely in the baking dish.
    9. When cool, lightly brush with sugar.
    10. Remove from pan and store in a tin or airtight container.
    Handwritten and cherished for all of these years.

    * Tips for making a perfect batch!

    • Butter should be chilled but not hard.
    • I use a Corningware 10″ quiche baking dish.
    • Smooth the surface of the shortbread with the back of a cold spoon before decorating.
    • Poke holes in the center to let steam escape.

    Did you make this recipe? Tag @simplysteeyn on Instagram

  • Cookies,  Desserts,  Food Lovers,  Tips

    Chocolate Chip Indulgence

    Who doesn’t swoon over homemade chocolate chip cookies?😍 There are several shortcuts when you’re in a pinch but there’s nothing quite like the aroma of these beauties in the oven. My secret?…the chocolate.

    To amp up the “yum factor” I use bittersweet chocolate. I began baking with bittersweet chips a few years ago because I have family members with food allergies and finding a chip that was both delicious and nut-free was a bit challenging. Of course, always check the labels to be sure they are safe for you and yours but my chips of choice are Ghirardelli Bittersweet, Premium Baking Chips. I’ll admit, they are a bit more costly, but they make all the difference in this recipe. Let me know what you think! 😊

    Chat Soon…

    Ingredients:

    • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 cup butter, softened*
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350°
    2. Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) and set aside
    3. Cream sugars and butter
    4. Add vanilla and eggs and mix well on medium speed
    5. On low speed, gradually add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Once all dry ingredients have been added, increase speed to medium, and blend until combined. Scraping bowl as needed.
    6. Stir in chocolate chips
    7. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, place dough rounds on a baking sheet about 1½” apart.* Slightly flatten the tops.
    8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden (an extra minute or two in the oven will result in a crunchy cookie).
    9. Rest on the baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

    * Tips for making a perfect batch!

    • Butter should be softened but not soft. If it’s warm and/or overly soft the cookies will lose their shape in the oven and you will have a tray full of flat, sad-looking specimens. Of course, they will still taste wonderful so, glass half full!😉
    • Store batter in the refrigerator between batches so the dough stays chilled for the same reason listed above.
    • I began using a silicone baking liner on my cookie sheets several years ago and I’ve never looked back. Parchment paper will help keep things tidy but it’s also expensive. Reusable silicone liners are my go-to for cost-conscious and fabulous results.

    Did you make this recipe? Tag @simplysteeyn on Instagram