Indulge your taste buds with the delightful allure of our Fruit & Nut Shortbread. This delectable treat blends the rich, buttery goodness of traditional shortbread with the vibrant flavors of fruits and nuts, making it a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion. Below, we’ll guide you through creating this scrumptious recipe that’s sure to impress!
Fruit & Nut Shortbread
Prepare yourself for a sensory experience as you create this irresistible shortbread. The mix of textured nuts and sweet dried fruits complements the iconic buttery dough, enhancing every bite. Let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (such as apricots, cranberries, and raisins)
- ½ cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
- In another bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Gently fold in the dried fruits and nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a rectangle about ½ inch thick.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into squares or rectangles, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the shortbread to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If desired, dust with extra powdered sugar before serving.
Now, you have a batch of delicious Fruit & Nut Shortbread ready to share with family and friends (or to savor all by yourself!). Enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, and let each bite remind you of life’s simple pleasures.