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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 899
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:10 pm: | 
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OK - I guess emergency is overstating, but we're trying to make shortbread cookies for a class project - the idea is to cut them into shapes (Harry Potter lightening bolts) but the dough is super crumbly. Does this seem right? Is shortbread not meant to be cut into shapes (recipe seemed to indicate that it would be OK)? My recipe was 3C flour to 1C butter (half C powdered sugar, vanilla, pinch salt). I creamed butter/sugar & added dry ingredients slowly & then kneaded by hand as directed & all I have to show for it (even after chilling) is a crumbly pile. It does hold together if I press but can't keep it together for cut outs...suggestions? Should I give up and head to Kings for cut & bake dough?
Thanks! |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5008
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:26 pm: |
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You might have too great a proportion of dry ingredients. Try a little more butter - or, a little bit of water kneaded into the dough. That might make it softer and less crumbly. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6684
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:26 pm: |
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Sounds like waaaay too much flour for the shortening ratio. It should be crumbly but should hold a shape in a ball & pressed down. Shortbread is very buttery. But, I have to say that I never waste homemade cookies that are going to be slathered in icing on kids. Roll out dough is the way to go. It's guaranteed to be able to be cut into any shape you want. |
hismom
Citizen
Username: Hismom
Post Number: 364
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
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Shortbread isn't the best for cut cookies - the dough is a bit crumbly and won't take being rolled out/cut very well. All the recipes I have for it call for cutting it after its baked.
Go for sugar cookie dough (don't tell, but my ILs think I make the best sugar cookies and its really the Betty Crocker cookies in a pouch that you add an egg & stick of butter to - covered w/icing no one can tell!) |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 901
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 6:10 pm: |
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Thanks all - just added more butter & will try one more time - texture seems better, but I'm chilling a bit (the dough, that is...though perhaps a glass of wine might help -me- help the cookies!;-)
If it doesn't work, I'l make a giant cookie for us & run to Kings for cookies in a tube or whatever...
thanks again! |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 365
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 8:51 pm: |
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FYI, I found a shortbread recipe online that is exactly what you described, and it said you could do cut-outs. It did say to mix the flour mixuture in a little bit at a time and mix it in with your hands (perhaps to warm the butter a bit?). And then you would roll it out 1/4" thickness and cut away.
The trouble if you add more butter is that during cooking, the butter may make the cutouts loose their shape due to excessive melting.
A box mix is the fastest solution at this point if you aren't successful.
My guess is that perhaps you used a bit too much flour by accidently tamping the cup while measuring or something. Or, perhaps the butter wasn't at room temp, which would result in the crumbling too, like pie crust.
Good luck!!! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 903
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 9:28 pm: |
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Pdg - I think that was the recipe I was using...maybe since we keep it so da*n cold in this house "room temperature" was too cold! & I think you're right about the flour packing - though the recipe didn't say to sift, other recipes did & I would in the future...
Happy ending, though: added butter (went from the 3:1 flour/butter ratio to a 2:1 ratio & hoped for the best...they are actually pretty good & held their shape...a bit less sweet/buttery than I would like, but not bad...
Half of the "home" batch was gone when I looked just now...
Thanks again, all
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