This post may contain affiliate links.
Gosh, I can’t even believe 2010 is just about over! Throughout the year, I feel like I’ve accomplished so many of the goals that I had set for myself including launching Kitchen Konfidence, strengthening old friendships, starting new friendships, living a healthier lifestyle, practicing photography and keeping in good contact with my family. The one thing I couldn’t manage to do was get my Christmas cards out on time!! Since this is my last post of the year, I just want to take a moment to say thank you to all of my readers. I truly appreciate your feedback, questions and comments.
I am ending the year with these Whole Wheat Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies. The taste is rich and buttery with a deep nutty flavor (sans any nuts at all) and a salty bite. Enjoy these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or crumble large chunks over a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream. So. Yum.
Thanks again and have a happy New Year. I can’t wait to see what unfolds in 2011!
Whole Wheat Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan
- ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Butter an 11" fluted tart pan with removable bottom and set aside.
- Warm butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. The butter will melt, then foam and bubble, then start to brown. You will notice little brown bits forming at the bottom of the pan. Stir frequently during this process and keep your attention on the pot. You will know the butter is done when it gives off a nutty aroma and turns a golden brown (check out this great resource for how to brown butter). Remove brown butter from the heat and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, sift together both flours and kosher salt. Set aside.
- Add confectioners' sugar and cooled brown butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until combined. Add the sifted flour and salt and mix on medium-low until just combined (do not overmix). The dough will look grainy and crumbly. Pinch off a small amount of dough and press in your hands. The dough should hold together. If not, add cold water a teaspoon at a time and mix until it does.
- Turn the dough out on to the buttered tart pan. Using a piece of plastic wrap, press the dough into the tart pan with your hands in an even layer. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 300°F . Place a rack in the top third of the oven.
- Take the dough out of the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap. Cut out a circle in the middle of the dough with a 2 ¼ inch cookie cutter and set aside for nibbling during the baking process. Place the cookie cutter back in the middle. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 even wedges. Using a tooth pick, prick small holes in each wedge.
- Transfer pan to the preheated oven and cook until golden brown (1 hour). Transfer pan to a wire rack. Recut the shortbread into wedges (I also had to reprick some of the holes). Let cool completely in the tart pan.
2
I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Kate @ Diethood.com says
Great way to close the present year! These look extremely yummy!
Have a very happy new year!
Evan Thomas says
Nice recipe! I’ve always wanted to try a brown butter dessert; I hear the flavor shines through.
Belinda @zomppa says
Only a few more hours! Great, healthy, yummy way to finish. Have a wonderful one!
Becky says
I love shortbread, but have never tried brown butter before. I’m putting this recipe on my to do list.
Happy 2011!
Roxan says
It’s ok that you didn’t get your christmas cards out in time… Other than a handful that I gave to friends at parties, I didn’t even send any out! This year, I will make it a goal though…
These cookies look great, and I love the addition of whole wheat flour! The pan you used for it is awesome, now I want to get one of those.
Brandon Matzek says
@Evan I love using brown butter in desserts. The smell is intoxicating!
@Roxan Thanks. Yeah I am thinking about new alternatives this year. I can just never seem to get them out amidst the Holiday chaos!