Product Reviews and Tips

Watkins Shortbread Cookie Mix

I've never made shortbread cookies before, but the directions on the Watkins Shortbread Cookie Mix seemed simple enough:

In a medium bowl, cut 1 cup/250 mL of butter into the mix until a dough can be formed. Roll out dough to ¼" thick. Use a cookie cutter to make 3" cookies. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Cool at least 15 minutes.

Only it didn't quite work out so simply. I thought I must have done something wrong at first, because the dough was really crumbly; there was no way I'd be able to roll it out. But after reading comments from other Watkins Associates who've tried the mix, I discovered this was normal. I also learned it's much easier to pat the mixture into a pan rather than trying to roll it.

With that minor dilemma behind me, I tried four different variations of the cookie. I added Watkins Lemon Extract to one batch, Watkins Butter-Pecan Extract to another, and Watkins Danish Pastry Extract to the third. I didn't add any flavoring to the last batch. Instead I mixed in pecans, and, after patting the dough into the pan, sprinkled it with chocolate chips. Immediately after baking, I used a knife to spread the melted chocolate around the top.

Then came the taste test. Yum! I liked all three flavors I tried, and think about any of Watkins' extracts would taste great paired with these cookies. But I think my favorite experiment was the pecans and chocolate version.

I think this mix, paired with a few favorite Watkins Extracts, would make a great gift for any baker on your list. I could see myself giving it as part of a gift basket. However, I admit I wouldn't buy this mix for myself due to the price: $US 5.19/$CDN 6.79. Shortbread cookies are just flour, sugar, & salt. I can buy the ingredients separately for the same price as the mix and make dozens more cookies; a much better value.

Three stars out of five: The mix goes together quick, requires only butter, and makes great-tasting cookies. Recommended to use as part of a gift basket. But I think the price is a bit high for a simple mix of flour, sugar & salt. And the directions on the package should mention the dough is crumbly and could be pressed into pans.

<img src="http://www.seasonsforsuccess.com/index/fileadmin/Image_Archive/reviews/stars-3.gif"

US Product #05625 $5.19

CDN Product #05625 $6.79

Tips:

Shortbread cookies are similar to crunchy sugar cookies. They can be paired with a variety of flavorings, nuts, chocolate, and fruit with great success.

Allow butter to soften at room temperature. Cream in a mixer or food processor with 2 tsp Watkins Extract (if desired) before adding dry mix. Mix or process until crumbly dough is formed.

Margarine cannot be substituted for butter in this recipe.

Pat the dough into a cookie sheet, pizza pan, or other pan. Cookies can be cut into squares or wedges. For easy round cookies, pat dough into bottoms of muffin pans. If your cookie cutters are open in the center, place the cutter on the cookie sheet and pat dough inside the cutter instead of trying to roll out the dough.

Chill dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour before rolling out. Use a spatula to transfer cutout cookies to cookie sheet.

Wait at least 15 minutes for cookies to cool before cutting; otherwise they will crumble.

Use baked & cooled cookie dough as a base for a fruit pizza.