Candied Ginger Shortbread

Recipe by PJ Hamel
41 Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars

In ancient times, Scotsmen marked the winter solstice — the first day of winter — with bonfires, entreating the sun to return over the course of the year's longest night. From this tradition was born first a round cake, notched on the side to represent the sun's rays; and then today's familiar wedge-shaped shortbread. This version of classic shortbread incorporates crystallized ginger, which adds a spicy-sweet kick.

Prep
10 mins
Bake
35 mins
Total
45 mins
Yield
2 dozen shortbread wedges
Solstice Shortbread - select to zoom
Solstice Shortbread - select to zoom
Solstice Shortbread
Solstice Shortbread - select to zoom

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease two 9" round cake pans, or two 8" or 9" stoneware shortbread pans, or a combination.

  2. In a mixing bowl or bowl of your stand mixer, combine the butter, salt, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

  3. Place 1 cup (120g) of the flour in a food processor with the crystallized ginger. Process until the ginger is finely minced; this may take up to 1 minute.

  4. Add this mixture, along with the remaining 1 1/3 cups (160g) flour, to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.

  5. Divide the dough in half (about 385g each) among the two prepared pans. Press into an even layer, smoothing the surface with your fingers or a pastry roller.

  6. Prick (dock) the dough all over with a fork; this will prevent it from puffing up or developing air bubbles as it bakes.

  7. Bake the shortbread until it's golden brown all over, and a bit browner around the edges, about 35 minutes. Remove it from the oven.

  8. Loosen the edges of the shortbread from the pan using a table knife, a small offset spatula, or heatproof nylon spatula. Wait just a minute or two, then turn the shortbread out of the pan onto a piece of parchment or a clean work surface.

  9. Use a bench knife, a knife, or (easiest) a rolling pizza cutter to cut each round into 12 wedges. Do this immediately, while the shortbread is still warm. If you wait, it'll be difficult to cut.

  10. Transfer the wedges to a rack to cool.

  11. Store any leftover ginger shortbread, well wrapped, for up to a week; freeze for longer storage. The flavor improves as the shortbread ages.

Tips from our Bakers

  • For a simple but festive decoration, sift 1 cup (113g) confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl. Gradually add 2 tablespoons (28g) fresh lemon juice, stopping when your glaze is thin enough to drizzle but thick enough to hold its shape (you may have to adjust with additional sugar or juice to reach the ideal consistency). Drizzle it over shortbread with a spoon or fork, or transfer it to a pastry bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped and pipe on decorations. Before the glaze has set, sprinkle the shortbread with sparkling sugar or turbinado sugar, if desired.

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