Liven Up Holiday Shortbread: 10 Festive Mix-Ins

Shortbread is a classic holiday cookie for many, and it's one that we make each year in our house. While I tend to stick pretty closely to a classic version, I've started to add small and subtle mix-ins this year to make for a more festive, interesting cookie and one that stands apart from the rest. Here are a few ideas...

The nice thing about shortbread cookies is the small ingredient list (commonly they consist of only butter, sugar, flour and vanilla). I love Ina Garten's recipe, and we've had some fun over the years at The Kitchn with our own riffs including the always-popular Irish Shortbread Toffee Bars and Cardamom Vanilla Shortbread with White Chocolate and Rose Petals.

But on days when you're in the mood for keeping it relatively simple yet still adding your own touch, consider one of my favorite mix-ins. As for how much to add, it certainly depends on your recipe and you don't want to incorporate too many chunks into your dough because then it will become quite difficult to roll out or slice. My blanket suggestion, then, is to start with 1/4 cup of your chosen mix-in (with the exception of espresso powder and chopped herbs: begin with 1 tablespoon. For flaky salt, a sprinkle will do) and see how the dough looks. It should be studded with little bits of mix-in here and there but shouldn't be so crowded that you wouldn't be able to work with it.

I'd love to know: do you have a favorite shortbread mix-in?

10 Shortbread Mix-Ins:
Dried fruits like cranberries or cherries
Cacao nibs
Toasted coconut
Mini chocolate bits
Chopped fresh herbs
Toasted nuts
Espresso powder
Flaky salt (like Maldon)
White chocolate chunks
Crushed peppermint candies

Related: Elegant Appetizer: Savory Shortbread

(Image: Leela Cyd Ross)

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What Can I Make With White Chocolate Chips? Good Questions

Q: I was so excited to see that Trader Joe's carried white chocolate chips without hydrogenated oil that I bought 3 bags but now I realize I should probably use them up before they go bad. What can I make besides cookies, white chocolate drizzle, or white chocolate buttercream?

Sent by Megan

Editor: Megan, this post has some ideas for using white chocolate:

What Are Some Good Ways to Use White Chocolate?

Readers, do you have any recipes or ideas for using white chocolate chips?

Next question?

Related: Like Nutella? Try BraveTart's White Chocolate-Pistachio Gianduja

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Look! Pumpkin & Brown Butter Blondies

I've been having a love affair with pumpkin lately, and looking for a new way to incorporate it into a sweet baked good. These spiced, Autumn-colored pumpkin blondies seem to fit the bill perfectly, don't they?

Steph of Raspberri Cupcakes calls them the "love-child of a brownie and a pumpkin pie." I'm actually not a huge fan of white chocolate, so I might sub in dark chocolate or nuts (which changes the whole "blondies" thing, I know), but otherwise it seems like the perfect Fall dessert to bring to the next office or dinner party!

Get the recipe: Pumpkin & Brown Butter Blondies at Raspberri Cupcakes

Related: The Sweet Side of Squash: 10 Dessert Recipes

(Image: Raspberri Cupcakes)

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