Rose Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate

Buttery, crisp, smooth and delicious..Shortbread Cookies

i call them SHORTIES

i've been testing out some (lots) of shortbread recipes lately and i will pass them on, but for now i'll start with one of my favorites...

ROSE WHITE CHOCOLATE SHORTIES 

  for this recipe i think you'll find just the right balance of rose, vanilla and, of course, butter.  i really wanted the rose flavor to shine, but not over power. i have tried cooking with rose water, but it just doesn't have enough flavor...besides you can't add water to shortbread dough.  i have tried using just rose petals...they give a good appearance, but again...no flavor.  i finally broke down and bought some good rose extract.

well aware of the possibility of ending up with little soap bar tasting cookies i thought i'd better go with a light touch for the extract.  for this size recipe i am happy to say i was right on with 1/2 tsp.  i'm the type of person that always adds a little extra vanilla when called for, but this time i knew better.

these little gems were a huge hit amongst my foodie friends and i will definitely be putting this in the favorites pile.  they are reeeeely delicious and something unexpected from a simple unassuming shortbread.  oh...and a slight touch of white chocolate?... pushed it over the edge. 

the shortbread base recipe has been my "go-to" for quite a while.  i pulled the essentials from an Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from Smitten Kitchen who i think got it from a Dorie Greenspan recipe. some shortbreads are good...i think this one is great...using powdered sugar instead of granulated.

a few of my other flavor combos have been...Haute Chocolate Shorties (spicy double chocolate) , Maple Pecan and Coconut Double Chocolate.  AND, as i mentioned i have a few more winners in my back pocket almost ready to post...stay tuned...i hope.

as you can see in the photos the cookies hold their shape very well...if handled properly.  the dough must be cold and i like to give them a quick chill on the cookie sheet just before going in the oven. 

ROSE with WHITE CHOCOLATE SHORTIES

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp.

2/3 cup powdered sugar, NOT sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp rose extract

1 Tbsp crushed edible rose petals, chopped fine...use your judgment.  it's more for the visual effect.

2 cups all purpose flour

white chocolate for drizzle or a slight brush on the bottom

in a mixer with paddle adjustment add butter and powdered sugar.  mix for approx 3 minutes until smooth and creamy...no lumps. add the vanilla and rose extracts along with the rose petals and blend until combined.  add flour to incorporate.  do not over mix.

NOTE...here's a fabulous trick i learned from Smitten Kitchen (love her for passing it on)...

transfer the dough into a 1 gallon Ziploc freezer baggie.  work the dough down into the corners so there are no air pockets.  seal the baggie, but leave an inch or so open for the last of the air to escape as you are rolling the dough.  now roll out the baggie full of dough so it is flat and the dough has completely filled the baggie.  flip the baggie a few times during rolling so as not to get all bunched up on one side.  roll it evenly and it should be about 1/4 inch thick all over.  now refrigerate on FLAT surface for at least 2 hours.  i have left mine for 2-3 days.

preheat your oven now to 325 F degrees

line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

try to work quickly and keep the dough chilled

get your Ziploc dough and cut down the sides of the baggie...unzip the top and peel back top layer from dough.

with a long knife cut 6 across and 6 down for 36 nice size cookies.

NOTE...don't use the sharpest knife in the kitchen to cut your squares.  you don't want to cut through the bottom layer of plastic.  remove squares from bottom layer of baggie with a spatula or by carefully peeling off and place on parchment.  they can be fairly close because the don't spread, but do leave a little room for expansion.

place filled cookie sheets (both sheets if they will fit) into the refrigerate for about 10-15 minutes.

NOTE...i cook one sheet at a time to insure even cooking...

bake for 18 - 20 minutes.  keep your eye on them because you can go from a pretty butter color to brown edges if you turn your back too long.  they should be just golden with a slight light brown edge.  pull them from the oven and slide the parchment from the hot cookie sheet onto a flat surface.  let cool to the touch then onto a wire cooling rack.  when completely cooled they can be stored in an airtight container for at least a few days or until you are ready to decorated with the white chocolate if you choose to do so.  don't get heavy handed with the white chocolate.  you don't want to over power the delicate rose flavor.