Minty Green Delight Shortbread Cookies
A delightful twist on classic shortbread, these Minty Green Delight Cookies are perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations or any festive occasion. With a warm buttery base and refreshing hints of mint, these cookies melt in your mouth while adding a pop of vibrant green to your dessert table. The finishing touch of drizzled chocolate elevates them to a gourmet treat, making them not only delicious but also a visually appealing addition to any gathering. Perfect for sharing or indulging by yourself, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends alike!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
white sugar
1 cup (none)
egg
1 (beaten)
flour
2 2/3 cups (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
mint extract
2 teaspoons (none)
green food coloring
to taste (none)
chocolate
for garnish (melted)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2
Next, beat in the egg until fully incorporated, then add the mint extract and mix again until combined.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough is just combined.
4
Add several drops of green food coloring to the dough, mixing thoroughly until you reach your desired shade of green.
5
Transfer the dough onto a clean surface, roll it into a log shape approximately 12 inches long. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
6
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
7
Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the slices on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about an inch apart.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 9 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
9
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
10
If desired, melt chocolate (either white or dark) and drizzle over the cooled cookies for an elegant finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Minty Green Delight Shortbread Cookies?
These are a festive twist on classic shortbread cookies featuring a buttery base, a refreshing mint flavor, and a vibrant green color, often finished with a chocolate drizzle.
What ingredients are needed for these cookies?
You will need butter, white sugar, an egg, flour, salt, mint extract, green food coloring, and chocolate for the garnish.
How do I make the cookie dough green?
Add several drops of green food coloring to the dough after the dry ingredients are combined, mixing thoroughly until you reach your desired shade.
How long should I chill the cookie dough?
The dough should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for easier slicing.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking the cookies.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 9 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Can I use peppermint extract instead of mint extract?
Yes, you can substitute peppermint extract, though the flavor profile will be slightly different than standard mint extract.
How should I store these cookies?
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for later use; just thaw slightly before slicing.
What kind of chocolate is best for the drizzle?
You can use either white or dark chocolate depending on your preference for the elegant finish.
Are these cookies suitable for St. Patrick's Day?
Absolutely, their vibrant green color and minty flavor make them a perfect treat for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
Based on a 12-inch log sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, this recipe should yield approximately 48 cookies.
Why do I need to cream the butter and sugar?
Creaming the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes incorporates air, which helps give the shortbread a light and fluffy texture.
Can I make these without food coloring?
Yes, the food coloring is only for aesthetics. The cookies will still taste like buttery mint shortbread without it.
How thick should the cookie slices be?
For the best results, slice the chilled dough log into rounds that are 1/4-inch thick.
Should I grease the cookie sheets?
No, place the slices on ungreased cookie sheets as the high butter content in the shortbread prevents sticking.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are just starting to turn a light golden color.
Can I use a stand mixer for this recipe?
Yes, either a hand mixer or a stand mixer works perfectly for creaming the ingredients and mixing the dough.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but if you use salted butter, you may want to reduce or omit the additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt requested in the recipe.
Can I use cookie cutters instead of slicing a log?
Yes, you can roll the dough out flat and use cookie cutters, but you may need to adjust the chilling and baking times slightly.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container, these cookies typically stay fresh for up to one week.
Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Yes, mini chocolate chips can be folded into the dough, though it may make slicing the log into clean rounds more difficult.
What is the texture of these cookies?
They have a classic shortbread texture which is buttery, tender, and melts in your mouth.
Does it matter if the egg is at room temperature?
While not strictly required by the recipe, using a room temperature egg helps it incorporate more easily into the creamed butter.
Can I use vanilla extract instead of mint?
Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract, though the cookies will no longer have the signature mint flavor.
Is liquid or gel food coloring better?
Both work, but gel food coloring is more concentrated and will provide a more vibrant green color without adding extra moisture.
How should I melt the chocolate for the drizzle?
You can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or use a double boiler.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is highly recommended for shortbread to achieve the correct flavor and crumbly texture, but margarine can be used as a substitute.
How long should I let the cookies cool before drizzling chocolate?
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack so the chocolate drizzle sets properly and doesn't melt off.
Is this recipe easy for beginners?
Yes, this is a straightforward slice-and-bake recipe that is great for bakers of all skill levels.