Monday, December 28, 2020

Oat Shortbread from Molly @MysteryMacRae plus #giveaway

MADDIE DAY here, delighted to welcome Molly MacRae to the blog with a yummy recipe perfect for her Highland Bookshop Mysteries. I plan to make these treats tomorrow!

Oat Shortbread and a Giveaway


Shortbread is one of my favorite cookies any time of year, but it’s especially good around the holidays. This delicious version uses very little flour and lots of oats. It’s super easy to make and good plain or jazzed up with a dip of chocolate and a sprinkle of crystalized ginger.

Oat Shortbread

Preheat oven to 325º F


 

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups rolled oats

⅓ cup dark brown sugar

2 T white flour

6 T unsalted butter, softened

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. vanilla extract

 

Optional topping:

¼ cup chocolate chips, melted

2 T. crystalized ginger, diced

(But, really, are chocolate and ginger ever optional?)

 

Directions:

1.      Put all ingredients (except chocolate and ginger) in a bowl and mix thoroughly



2.      Press mixture into greased 8x8 pan.



3.      Bake 30 minutes

4.      Cool 10 minutes

5.      If using optional topping, melt chocolate chips and dice ginger while shortbread cools



6.      Cut shortbread into squares, rectangles, or triangles

7.      Dip one end of shortbread into melted chocolate (or paint it on with a small rubber spatula)



8.      Sprinkle diced ginger over still melty chocolate 



Store in cookie tin. This recipe can easily be doubled and made in a 9x13 pan.

The women who run Yon Bonnie Books and Cakes and Tales tearoom in my Highland Bookshop Mysteries love shortbread, too. To celebrate Thistles and Thieves and Heather and Homicide, which both came out this year, I’m giving away a copy of either book – winner’s    choice. 

For your chance to win, tell me about your favorite cookie in a comment and remember to leave your email address. I’ll choose a winner, at random, at noon on New Year’s Eve. Sorry, U.S. entries only.

 


About Thistles and Thieves – book 3 in the Highland Bookshop Mysteries

The women of Yon Bonnie Books are embroiled in the death of a local doctor, which sets off a chain of other curious – and deadly – events. A story featuring bicycles, a mysterious box of books, a regimental dagger, and the promise (or threat?) of haggis. Available in hardback, e-book, and audio from your locally-owned independent bookstore, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Or ask for it at your local library. 

About Heather and Homicide – book 4 in the Highland Bookshop Mysteries

If true-crime writer Heather Kilbride has arrived to research a recent murder for her new book, why does she seem more interested in a shadowy lawyer with no connection to that murder? A story featuring unconventional research methods, miniature books, tempting dark chocolate cake, and an ancient circle of standing stones. Available in hardback, e-book, and audio from your locally-owned independent bookstoresBarnes & Noble, and Amazon. Or ask for it at your local library. 

The Boston Globe says Molly MacRae writes “murder with a dose of drollery.” She’s the bestselling, award-winning author of the Highland Bookshop Mysteries and the Haunted Yarn Shop. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine since 1990 and she’s a winner of the Sherwood Anderson Award for Short Fiction. Molly lives in Champaign, Illinois. You can visit her at www.mollymacrae.com.

 

 

91 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Two batches are all gone, if that tells you anything. Thanks for having me on MLK today, Edith!

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  2. My favorite cookie is peanut butter, but I love shortbread also. Your recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for the chance! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Yum! I love a good peanut butter cookie. Thanks for stopping by, Chris.

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  3. My favorite cookie is gingerbread. 3labsmom@gmail.com

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    1. I made gingerbread cookies with a 6-year-old and a 3 year-old last week, Brenda. Fun, memorable, and delicious! Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. My favourite cookie to bake is a triple chocolate chunk cookie.

    This shortbread recipe sounds delicious, especially since it's dipped in chocolate. I am NOT eligible for the giveaway but will copy the recipe.

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    1. Triple chocolate chunk? I think I need that recipe, Grace! I'm sorry you're not eligible for the giveaway. Check with your library to see if they have the books or can get them. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I love a good chocolate chip cookie. I also have a good sugar cookie recipe from an old co-worker. It makes a huge batch and is perfect for decorating.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Chocolate chip is definitely one of my favorites, and decorated sugar cookies? Delicious! Thanks for stopping by, Alicia.

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  6. My favorite is the chocolate crispy cookie.
    Kitten143@verizon.net

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    1. Chocolate and crispy go together perfectly. Thanks for stopping by, Christine!

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  7. Classic chocolate chip (Toll House), is my favorite cookie. The series looks so fun; count me in! (Contact via website.)

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    1. You can't beat the classics, can you? I add peanut butter and oats to my chocolate chip cookies (oats are a theme at my house), but in the end, it's still a chocolate chip cookie. Thanks for stopping by, Marilyn.

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  8. My favorite is the original Toll House chocolate chip. My children - all in their 60s now - still ask for them every Christmas. My sons still squabble over who gets the first batch. Warms my heart.❤

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    1. That's wonderful, Marlene! Glad to hear you're still baking and the boys are still squabbling. Merry Christmas!

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  9. I just found a triple ginger molasses cookie which may rise to the top of my list! pjcoldren[at]tm[dot]net

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    1. Let it rise to the top! That sounds fantastic. Thanks for stopping by, PJ.

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  10. Oatmeal Raisin is delectable but your shortbreads look wonderful and so yummy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Oatmeal raisin is a classic! Thanks for stopping by, Traveler.

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  11. My favorites are dark chocolate chip with toasted almonds and dried cherries soaked in amaretto

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    Replies
    1. Whoa, that sounds amazing, Ann. I'm adding that to my list of cookies not to be missed. Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. A lemon ginger biscuit is my favorite cookie. Light, tangy and perfect with tea. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Yum! I see more cookie baking in my future. Thanks for stopping by.

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  13. I like oatmeal cookies but with dried cranberries instead of raisins
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. That's a really nice variation, Sandy. Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. Oh but this recipe looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a fabulous holiday. I love Thumbprints and oatmeal with raisins.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. Thumbprints are so much fun to make - and eat! Thanks for stopping by, Lori.

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  15. My favorite cookie is the chocolate chop cookie. However, this cookie delicious and easy. I'm definitely going to give it a try.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. It's hard to beat a good chocolate chip cookie. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. My favorite cookie is gingersnaps.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Yep, gingersnaps are right up there at the top for me. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. I have never come across an oatmeal shortbread cookie and can't wait to give it a try! My favorite cookie is a triple ginger gingerbread cookie.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    1. Triple ginger gingerbread! I need to try that. Thanks for stopping by, Lil. I need to up my cookie game and you've just helped.

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  18. I love shortbread! My ancestry is almost 50% Scottish so that could be why. But my absolute favorite cookies are peanut butter cookies. I like to read anything set in Scotland so I really like your books. 🍪
    clugston.kathy@yahoo.com

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    1. I'm so glad you like the books, Kathy! And I'm with you on peanut butter cookies. They're so satisfying. Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. Shortbread is always a winner.
    Mexican wedding cakes are also great. I'm going to try making them with a hunk of dark chocolate hidden in the middle!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. Great idea, Libby! Please let me know how that turns out. That would take Mexican wedding cakes, which are already terrific, straight to the stratosphere of cookies.

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  20. My favorite cookie is definitely a double chocolate chocolate chip cookie! Thanks for the chance!

    jarjm1980@hotmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Double chocolate chocolate chip - yes! Warm, with the chips still melty. What a treat. Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. My favorite cookie is a white chocolate macadamia nut. Thanks for the chance!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Peanut butter cornflake cookies are my favorite.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. I've never had them. Yum! Thanks for stopping by, Jana.

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  23. Mine is sour cream sugar cookies, iced with sour cream buttercream icing with colored sugars on top. Oh, yum! The oatmeal shortbread sounds delicious.

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    Replies
    1. They sound wonderful. I love sour cream! Thanks for stopping by.

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  24. Sorry the above comment was by Barbara Bergendorf.
    barbarabergendorf@gmail .com

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  25. My favorite are rye cookies, from the Great Scandinavian Baking Book. Just rye flour, all purpose flour, sugar, and butter. My favorite and my most popular potluck item

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    Replies
    1. I have a recipe for spiced rye ginger cookies I've been meaning to try. Now I definitely will. Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. My favorite cookies are persimmon cookies. I found out this year that you can buy them inexpensively at the 99 cent store. I am going to buy extra to stock up on the pulp to freeze for making cookies throughout the year now instead of just at Christmas! lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. Wow - persimmon! Thanks for the tip. They sound great.

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  27. I love no bake oatmeal cookies. My mom used to make them all the time! JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. No bake cookies are great, especially in hot weather when you don't want to heat up the kitchen. Thanks for stopping by, Jaime.

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  28. Anything that has peanut butter in it, thanks for sharing your recipe! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  29. I love this recipe, Molly! Welcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen. I love your series. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, Mary Jane, and thanks for having me on the blog today.

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  30. Karen B
    Snickerdoodles are my favorite!
    kpbarnett1941(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. They're my husband's favorite, too, so much so that his nickname in college was Snick. Thanks for stopping by, Karen.

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  31. Chocolate chip cookies. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    Replies
    1. If this were an election, chocolate chip would win by a wide margin. I love them, too. Thanks for stopping by, Kim!

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  32. I like chocolate chocolate chip cookies with nuts. lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. So many cookies are wonderful so it is hard to pick a favorite! I like soft frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles and big soft frosted gingerbread cookies.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    Replies
    1. I have a weakness for soft frosted sugar cookies. Thank goodness they don't get near me too often! Thanks for stopping by, Nancy.

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  34. Yum! I love a variety of cookies. Right now I could eat a pecan praline cookie.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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    1. Ooh, so could I. I'm not sure I've ever had one, but now I want one. Thanks for stopping by, Pat.

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  35. I like ALL the cookies, ALL the time....but especially ones with chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, ginger, coconut, and mint. Besides homemade (especially Mexican Wedding Cookies) I love Girl Scout cookies, like Thin Mints, and most any Pepperidge Farm treats! Yes, I love shortbread, too! I'm easy. lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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    1. LOL! I love your cookie love, Lynn! Thanks for stopping by.

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  36. I make traditional shortbread in a mold and then I give it as gifts. 1lb. Soften butter, Cream with 1 cup of sugar; add 4 cups of flour. Mix well and turn out on pastry mat and knead until smooth. Divide into 4 equal sized balls. Pat into shortbread molds (2at a time). Prick with girl and bake 325 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Loosen edges of mold and cool on rack for 10 minutes. Then turn out on cooling rack. Cut immediately on score lines and then cool completely. Store in sealed tin.

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  37. That's similar to the traditional shortbread recipe I use, Cindy. 8 oz. butter, 6 ounces flour, 2 ounces sugar. Yum! Thanks for stopping by.

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  38. Hard to pick a favorite cookie. But, I suppose chocolate chip are narrowly first followed by anything with chocolate, peanut butter, sugar cookies, etc.

    kaye.killgore(at)comcast(dot)net

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    1. You're a cookie-lover after my own heart, Kaye! Thanks for stopping by.

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  39. Thank you, Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, for having me on the blog today. It's always a pleasure to share recipes with you and your readers!

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  40. The oat shortbread looks delicious, I would probably use nuts instead of ginger sprinkled on the chocolate. My favorites are my sister's oatmeal chocolate chip & frosted ricotta cookies.

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    1. Nuts would be great, Judith. I did the ginger because of a relatives' nut allergy. Frosted ricotta cookies? Wow, I'll add those to my growing list of cookies to be tried. Thanks for stopping by.

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  41. I absolutely love shortbread and can't wait to see what oats bring to the flavor and texture. Thanks for sharing, Molly!

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    1. You're welcome, Mia! Let me know how you like the recipe. Thanks for stopping by.

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  42. Molasses cookies are my favorite as I seem to make them best. I like most kinds of cookies. Stay safe and well.

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    1. Molasses is such good stuff. I like pumpkin pie made with molasses instead of sugar. Thanks for stopping by, Sally.

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  43. Book and cookie look good. Definitely interested. We love shortbread cookies. So we will definitely try this one soon. Thank you for the recipe. And for the chance at a book. deepotter at centurylink dot net

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    1. Our fave for a cookie is the sugar cookie from an early 1960's cookbook. The recipe is so versatile. Next to that is the Lavender Shortbread cookie

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    2. Sugar cookies are good, no question. Thanks for stopping by.

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  44. I love cookies and those sound just so good hubby and i tried to make spritz cookies like my grandma and i did for a couple of years. Well we followed the recipe in the spritzer box and they were like eating flour. I jumped out of my scooter and got my Betty Crocker and low and behold there was an item they listed that we didn;t add almond extract oh I was so upset so hubby said we would redo and not make so many but use the almond extract and they probably taste just like what she made. She didn't use a cookbook or recipe it was all out of her head and at the time i had just moved in with her from the foster home and i was so glad and was eating the cookies as they came out of the oven but i can;t wait to eat the next ones. peggy clayton ptckayton2 @aol.com

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    1. Almond extract makes such a difference in cookies, doesn't it? My mom used to make spritz cookies. I loved watching them come out of the tube. I've never made them as well as she did. Thanks for stopping by, Peggy!

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  45. Peanut butter cookies with a hersey kiss 💋 are my favorite. Yours sounds delicious.

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    1. That sounds like a great cookie, Donamae. Peanut butter and chocolate - two of my favorites. Yum! Thanks for stopping by.

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  46. Yum!! I have everything I need to make them except for the ginger! Woohoo, tomorrow is grocery day, I'm so there! I love root beer cookies, they sound disgusting, but keep people coming back for more. Happy New Year and be safe!! konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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