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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Courtney's Chocolate Chai Shortbread Cookies

    December 4, 2012 by keepinitkind 27 Comments

    Back in the day, my friend used to host a cookie exchange party every year.  Everyone would bring about 40-50 cookies and the recipe printed out on an index card.  Each person would get to take 2 of each type of cookie as well as the recipe for each cookie.  It was an awesome party and it's something I miss doing each year.  I am ecstatic to tell you all, however, that through December 24th, I will be hosting a virtual, vegan version of this cookie swap party, with tons of guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers.  Keep checking back to see who brings what type of cookie!  

    Today, I am so excited to have Courtney from The Fig Tree as a guest at the cookie party.  Courtney is genuinely one of the sweetest ladies I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know.  Her thoughtfulness, friendliness, and big, caring heart are so refreshing and while I tend to be a little on the introverted side, she inspires me to open my heart to people more often.  On top of all that, each of her posts reveal how talented she is both in the kitchen and with the camera.  Please enjoy these lovely treats that she is sharing with us today.

     Hello and Happy Holidays everyone! 🙂 Can you believe it's already December? It's crazy how quickly time flies by - but I for one am extremely happy it's the holiday season. For one, it means spending lots of time with loved ones and carrying on awesome holiday traditions such as watching Elf. (SANTA!!!!) The holiday season also implies baking season - which I take as my license to bake way too often and eat way too much of it! What can I say...I'll jump on the weight loss resolution band wagon when January hits. *hehe* During the holiday season, I love baking cookies in particular. When Kristy so kindly asked me to participate in her awesome holiday cookie exchange, I was thrilled! What a great way to celebrate the holidays - sharing cookie recipes with some of my very favourite bloggers! And, not only was it yet another excuse to bake, it was also an excuse to try out a new cookie recipe. Every year, I tend to make the same standard recipes which normally include shortbread, gingersnaps and jam thumbprint cookies. But in the past few years, I've also made it an annual tradition to try something completely new. This year, I had my heart set on something a little spicy yet chocolatey. And thus the Chocolate Chai Shortbread Cookie was born! I'm so excited to share this recipe with you all today, as it's a definite winner. The shortbread itself is flaky, buttery and delicate. The spice is just right and the chocolate just adds something special. Chocolate is always a good idea, right? Anyhoo...wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. May it be merry and bright. xo

    And a huge THANK YOU to Kristy for asking me to participate in this awesome cookie exchange. It was a lot of fun and I am very much looking forward to seeing what other bloggers post. My baking list is sure to grow exponentially over the next few weeks! As is my belly. *hehe* Kristy, I am thrilled to be sharing this cookie recipe on your amazing blog. You are one talented lady and I really appreciate all that you do through your blog.
    Print
    Courtney’s Chocolate Chai Shortbread Cookies

    Yield: 30 cookies

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup of non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
    • 1/2 cup of non-hydrogenated margarine; slightly softened
    • 3/4 cup of powdered sugar, sifted
    • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
    • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
    • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
    • 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
    • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
    • pinch of ground ginger (optional)
    • 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
    • 4 ounces of dark chocolate, finely chopped
    • Note: I used the Earth Balance brand shortening and vegan butter for this recipe and they worked great.

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350'F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    2. Using an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and the margarine until smooth. Fold in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Cream again until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, baking soda and salt.
    4. Gentle beat in half of the flour/spice mixture into the butter/shortening mixture. Once just combined, add the remaining flour/spice mixture and fold with the mixture on slow until the dough just comes together. Fold in the chocolate. Knead the dough three or four times to completely incorporate the chocolate.
    5. Divide the dough and form two logs about 8 inches long (1/2 inch thick). Wrap logs into parchment paper and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Note: After I chilled the dough, I shaped the log to have more squared edges.
    6. Once dough slightly chilled, cut the logs into 1/2 inch thick slices with a sharp knife. Place 15 slices on the first parchment paper covered baking sheet (about 2 inches apart). Repeat with the remaining dough with the second cookie sheet.
    7. Bake the shortbread for 12 to 14 minutes, or until it is slightly puffed yet firm and the edges are turning slightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle on powdered sugar.

    Notes

    Source: adapted from Vegan Cookies: Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chandra Moskowitz + Terry Hope Romero

    3.1

    Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back on Thursday to see who our next special guest is and what they bring to the party!  Thank you so much, Courtney,  for bringing these beautiful, wintery shortbread wonders!   

    Be sure to check out the rest of the cookies at the party:

                  Ashlae's Mini Gingerbread Folk    Jackie's Persimmon Oatmeal Cookies  Richa's Macaroons  Caitlin's Applesauce Raisin Oatmeal Cookies  Gabby's Nutmeg Logs  Melissa's Cream Cheese Sprinkle Sugar Cookies  brownies-1024x530  Ultimate Quadruple Chocolate Chip Cookies

     

    More

    • Heather's Noel Nut Rounds
    • Cadry's Banana Bread Chocolate Chunk Cookies
    • Somer's Brookie Grasshopper Squares
    • Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. CJ at Food Stories

      December 04, 2012 at 6:12 am

      What an interesting recipe - These are gorgeous and they look very festive for the season 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:32 pm

        Right? All of Courtney's creations are so gorgeous. Such a talent.

        Reply
    2. Caitlin

      December 04, 2012 at 6:35 am

      courtney is seriously one of the sweetest gals out there and is incredibly talented. her photos always take my breath away. these cookies sound amazing!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:33 pm

        I know- They really broke the sweetness mold with Courtney. I adore her. 🙂

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:23 pm

          Awe, thank you ladies 🙂 Your kind words made me smile! xo
          You both are wonderful ladies yourself!!! *hugs*

          Reply
    3. Heather

      December 04, 2012 at 8:12 am

      Holycow these are beautiful! Court is pretty amazing, I have been following the Fig Tree forever and fell in love instantly 😉 Loving these cookies, they are so HOLIDAY!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:33 pm

        I know- I am so "wowed" by these cookies!

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:29 pm

          Thank you ladies! xo I am thrilled to have you as both readers of The Fig Tree and as friends. Wish we could have done this cookie party in person. *hugs* Happy Christmas!

          Reply
    4. Annie

      December 04, 2012 at 8:46 am

      Oh yeah. Seriously - three of my favorites - chocolate, chai and buttery shortbread?! Thanks, Courtney!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:34 pm

        These cookies have everything, Courtney! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Courtney Jones

      December 04, 2012 at 3:23 pm

      Thank you again for asking me to participate in the cookie exchange. 🙂 So much fun! Unfortunately (fortunately), I've eaten half the batch of these already! *HAH*

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:35 pm

        I don't blame you- thos cookies look OUTSTANDING! Thank you for participating and I think this is going to need to be a yearly thing. I hope you'll be back next year!

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:24 pm

          You bet I'll join in again next year! 🙂 Another wonderful Christmas tradition to look forward to each year.

          Reply
    6. Somer

      December 04, 2012 at 3:25 pm

      So pretty! I'll have to stop on over to meet Courtney! 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:37 pm

        Oh, please do! She's great and her "Vegan Tuesdays" are so inspiring.

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:30 pm

          Thank you! I'm finding the Vegan Tuesday very inspiring too. Each week I love choosing a new recipe to try. I'm learning a lot about cooking with different ingredients and making more kind choices that will benefit both me and the environment and our animal friends! 🙂

          Reply
    7. Herbivore Triathlete

      December 04, 2012 at 5:01 pm

      I love shortbread! This looks like a great cookie swap cookie recipe. Thanks for sharing, love the star anise on top too, super cute.

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:41 pm

        I know, right?! I want to make these, but I don't know that they'll be as beautiful as Courtney's (read: I'm not that talented). 🙂

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:34 pm

          *hah* I think you are super de duper talented! I love your creative recipes and gorgeous photography.

          Reply
    8. Cadry

      December 05, 2012 at 8:05 am

      Chocolate and chai? What a delicious combo!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:42 pm

        They're so perfect! Chris loves anything chai so he's begging for these!

        Reply
    9. Richa`

      December 05, 2012 at 12:03 pm

      Its a spice party in there.. and all my kind of flavors.. a box full of these are needed in seattle please:)

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 09, 2012 at 12:53 pm

        Well, if we're taking orders, I could use a box too...

        Reply
        • Courtney Jones

          December 10, 2012 at 5:25 pm

          *hah* A few of my friends in Winnipeg asked if I could make them a few batches for the Christmas season too. I better get baking! Lots of orders to fill. *hehe*

          Reply
    10. Melissa

      December 12, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      These look so amazing! Great post Courtney. 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:36 pm

        I second that!

        Reply
    11. sharla

      October 12, 2016 at 3:18 pm

      can these be rolled out instead of cut?

      Reply

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