Apple shortbread is the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet cravings while embracing the crisp flavor of apples. With its buttery crunch and apple sweetness, this recipe is a must-try for bakers of all levels!
Deliciously Sweet: Easy Apple Shortbread Cookies
If you love buttery shortbread cookies and also apples, you need to try this easy Apple Shortbread recipe. Based on an apple shortbread cookie sold at Trader Joe’s, this sweet recipe lets you enjoy them anytime. What’s more, they are easy to make, and you can customize the flavor by adding cinnamon or other spices to suit your palate.
The Addition of Apple Cider
The secret to the flavor in these shortbread cookies is concentrated apple cider, which sets them apart from traditional shortbread. By boiling the cider until it reaches a concentrated syrup, you infuse the dough with a rich apple flavor. This not only enhances the cookies’ taste but also adds a sweetness that pairs well with their buttery texture.
Reducing Apple Cider
Don’t worry, reducing apple cider is not a difficult or advanced technique. If you can boil water, you can create a cider reduction as shown below. Just be mindful to keep an eye on it as it reduces, or you can end up with less than a tablespoonful.
Be sure to use a flavorful cider such as Honey Crisp because the more flavorful the cider, the more flavorful the cookies will be.
Apple Shortbread: Buttery and Crunchy Delight
The core of any great shortbread cookie is, of course, the butter. In this recipe, salted butter provides the perfect balance of flavors, offering a creamy richness that complements the sweetness of the apple cider. The result is a cookie that is both crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Vanilla and Lemon in Apple Shortbread Cookies
This apple shortbread features a hint of vanilla and a touch of lemon, both of which enhance the apple flavor. The subtle vanilla sweetness elevates the cookies’ overall flavor, and the lemon adds a bright, refreshing note that amplifies the apple taste. It’s a simple combination that makes a difference in flavor!
Incorporating Apple Chips
To add texture and flavor, mix crushed apple chips into the dough. The crunchy bits add fruity flavor but also provide an interesting contrast to the smooth shortbread. They are easy to incorporate; simply crush them before adding to the dough. This ensures pieces are evenly distributed throughout the cookies.
Alternative Apples
Apple chips are not always readily available, so you can substitute an equal amount of dried or dehydrated apples instead. Dried apples are soft and pliable, whereas apple chips are crunchy. However, there is one drawback to using dried apples: they are harder to chop than chips. They are sticky and cling to a knife when cutting. Therefore, it is best to use a small food processor to chop them into fine pieces.
Chilling for Perfect Texture
After mixing your dough, chill it for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their structure. It solidifies the butter, making the dough easier to roll out and cut into perfect shapes. The result? Well-defined cookies that hold their form during baking!
Perfect for Any Occasion
These cookies are incredibly versatile. They can serve as a dessert for a dinner party, a sweet snack for after school, or a delicious addition to a holiday cookie platter. Try crumbling them and sprinkling them over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, yogurt, oatmeal, No-Bake Caramel Cheesecake, or apple slices drizzled with sea salt caramel sauce.
Storage
Store these cookies in an airtight container on the countertop. They will stay fresh for about a week or two. For long-term storage, place waxed paper or parchment sheets between the layers in an airtight plastic or glass container. Then store them in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 6 months.
Other Apple Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Easy Apple Shortbread: Deliciously Sweet and Simple to Make
Equipment
- mixer
- plastic wrap
- cookie baking sheet
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- (1) 2.5-inch (63.5 mm) round cookie cutter
- nonstick pastry mat (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider or juice, reduced
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ¼ teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup crushed apple chips
Instructions
- Boil the apple cider until it is reduced to 1 tablespoon. Set aside to cool.
- Beat the butter, vanilla, lemon juice, and cooled apple cider reduction.
- Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the flour, 1/3 at a time, just until incorporated.
- Measure a heaping 1/2 cup of apple chips. (This amount will equate to about 1/4 cup when crushed.) Crush the chips in a resealable bag with a rolling pin or the bottom of a measuring cup. Then, stir them into the batter with the mixer.
- Turn the dough out on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold the wrap over the dough to cover all four sides, then shape it into a disc. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 325°F. Place a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet.
- Roll the dough to 1/4" in thickness on a pastry mat or countertop. Add a light sprinkle of flour if needed to keep the dough from sticking. Cut out the cookies using a 2.5-inch cookie cutter. (The recipe will yield more cookies if you use a smaller cutter or fewer if the cutter is larger.)
- Place cookies on the prepared pan 2 inches apart and bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Cool completely.