The festive season in Canada calls for warm kitchens filled with the comforting aroma of baking, and a classic shortbread recipe offers the perfect holiday project. An archival recipe from a past Vancouver Sun cookbook provides a reliable, party-sized batch of buttery, nutty cookies that are ideal for making with children or as a family activity.
A Timeless Recipe for Festive Treats
This straightforward recipe yields a substantial 54 cookies, making it perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or stocking the cookie jar. The process is designed to be accessible, turning baking into a fun, shared experience rather than a complicated culinary endeavor. The key ingredients are simple pantry staples, with the distinctive flavour coming from blanched almonds incorporated into the dough and used as a garnish.
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
The method begins by creaming room-temperature butter with brown and icing sugars until fluffy, then blending in vanilla. Sifted cake and pastry flour and finely chopped almonds are stirred in to form the dough, which requires an initial 30-minute chill in the refrigerator.
After chilling, the dough is portioned into tablespoon-sized balls, placed on baking sheets, and flattened. A whole almond is pressed into the center of each cookie before they are pricked with a fork and chilled again. They bake at a moderate 300°F (150°C) for 22 to 25 minutes until pale golden.
Finishing Touches and Storage Tips
Once completely cooled, the cookies can be elegantly finished with a drizzle of chocolate melted with a touch of vegetable oil. For extra crunch, a dollop of chocolate can be topped with halved or chopped almonds. The final step is a brief refrigeration to set the chocolate.
For those planning ahead, the cookies store beautifully. They can be layered with wax paper in an airtight container and kept in a cool place for up to one week, or frozen for up to one month, ensuring a ready supply of homemade sweetness throughout the busy holiday season.
This Vancouver Sun recipe encapsulates the spirit of holiday baking: creating simple, delicious treats that bring people together. It’s a sweet tradition waiting to be revived in Canadian kitchens this December.
