My favorite cookie is on Baked Sunday Mornings!
Baked Sunday Mornings is a group of fun and fearless fanatics for the cookbooks of Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. A big thanks to Sheri from Pork Cracklins, Bourbonnatrix from Bourbonnatrix Bakes, and Susan from Create Amazing Meals for all they do in organizing this wonderful baking group! This week’s recipe is from Baked Explorations, and it’s a GOOD one! My absolute favorite cookie in the world is shortbread. And this classic shortbread recipe is fantastic! These cookies are light and buttery, with a simple sweet flavor. On a scale of 1 -5, this is definitely 5 whisks for me! Just as the authors like to throw a twist in here and there, I did so, too. And one slight change for the sake of necessity and what I had in my pantry. . . . .
I had caster sugar, but decided to try using the confectioner’s sugar that was an option for this recipe. And I really loved the result. While I cut these shortbread cookies a little thicker than the recipe called for, they were really very light! I cut them with a heart shaped ravioli cutter ( you know me and my heart shaped stuff!) and docked them with the tip of a metal grilling skewer. The recipe as I worked it, produced 28 cookies, while the original recipe yields 48. Ooops! I like BIG cookies and I cannot lie! Plus….. I wanted to dip half in CHOCOLATE!
Also, I added the zest of 2 oranges to my dough. I melted some milk chocolate (Callebaut) and dipped half of the cookie in this luscious stuff. And I sprinkled a little bit of zest on the chocolate along with more Fleur de Sel. I just love the combination of orange and chocolate. The last change I made was a lazy one, I admit! It was sooooo windy here yesterday in D.C., that I did not want to run to the market for rice flour. So I used corn flour instead. And they turned out wonderfully!
I hope you will try this Orange Fleur de Sel shortbread dipped in chocolate. And please head on over to Baked Sunday Mornings for this shortbread recipe and to see how my fellow bakers enjoyed their own versions of this classic Fleur de Sel shortbread!
Enjoy!
OMG! These are just gorgeous! After the first batch, I also rolled them thicker. I like them better and they held together much better. Have a Happy New Year!
Thanks Yael! And your cookies turned out beautifully as well! And that olive tree table top is just gorgeous! Happy New Year to you as well! Look forward to baking with you next year! : )
Sweet Anne, these look so adorable and delicious, I would love to scoop them out through my screen!
I love your tips on making these as I had few failed attempts with shortbread. Of course, anything dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with fleur de sel will get my attention. I love this combo! Big hugs to you, my friend! xoxo
Thanks Anna….and what would go perfectly with this? Your GORGEOUS rum truffle mocha! That is one beautiful cup of coffee! Hug backs to you sweet friend and thank you once again for your lovely email….it meant a lot! : )
Oh my goodness, your shortbreads are beautiful! The shapes are so beautifully maintained during baking…and your presentation is perfect. Very well done! Love your ideas. Happy New Year!!!
Thanks Krissy! And your shortbreads look so special….I’m now needing to add a shortbread pan and some cookie stamps to my ever growing collection of bakewear! I just LOVE the look of your cookies! Happy New Year to you as well. Looking forward to more baking together! : )
Absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful flavor combination! These look like they’re from a professional bakery.
Thanks for the shout out & have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks Susan and your shortbreads are just as beautiful! Thanks for all you do for this group and I look forward to baking with you in the New Year….hope it’s a wonderful year for you as well! : )
Oh my! Those shortbread hearts are gorgeous! Love the look of them with the half dip in milk chocolate. A ravioli cutter? So smart!
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Your pics are fabulous!
And yes, I agree that those three ladies do deserve our thanks for keeping us all organized!
Thanks Sandra! And I truly enjoyed your post this morning! You had me grinning from ear to ear. You are the only person I know who warms up to making shortbread by making scones!!!! And both were fabulous! Looking forward to more Baked Sunday Mornings with you! : )
These look spectacular – you took chocolate dipping to a new level! I agree, thicker the better – and the best part was they held their shape, usually shortbreads don’t for me. Nicely done!
Thanks Mike! And your shortbreads should put Walker’s to shame! They were just picture perfect! : )
So pretty!!!! Love your creativity!
Thanks Chelly and your cookies were so lovely, precise and beautiful! : )
You went all out for this one and I love it? The addition of the chocolate was just enough to send me over the edge. Wishing you the happiest and healthiest New Years!
Thanks Sandra…..and all out would describe your beautiful cookie and cake tables! Those were fabulous and all the best to you and your family this year! : )
These look terrific! I love shortbread, and you’ve dressed it up so nicely. Really, really nice – thanks so much. And I hope you have a very Happy New Year!
Thanks John! And as soon as I can whip up a batch of your smoked salmon and cream cheese dip, my new year will be very happy! All the best to you in the new year! : )
These cookies are beautiful! Chocolate and orange shortbread makes a great combo. I love the shape you made as well… so perfect for your blog name…from your sweet heart.
It’s been a fast year and I’m still shocked that we’re almost in 2013. It was lovely sharing recipes with you this year Anne. I wish you a happy, joyous, healthy and prosperous 2013! I will be looking forward to see what you will make next year to sweeten us up. 
Awww thanks Ramona! It was a very fast year and I look forward to sharing so much more with you in the new year! I am one of your biggest fans and I love all of your luscious recipes. I’m coming over to check out those beautiful peach bellinis! Happy New Year to you my friend! : )
Your cookies look so perfect! I love the combo of butter/chocolate/orange. I hope you have an incredible 2013 …happy new year!!!
Thanks Angela….and I look forward to baking together in the New Year! : )
Beautiful shortbread, I love the heart shape and the added chocolate. Happy New Year!
Thanks Laura…..and your winter white cupcakes were just stunning! Happy baking in the New Year! : )
Why, hello Valentine cookies! I’m totally copying you for my hubby’s V day treat!
Ha! Great minds must think alike…..you and your luscious chocolate drizzle! Beautiful cookies Linda! : )
Lordy me, these look so good! You are so clever!
I hope you have a terrific 2013 and we’ll have lots to drool over!
Thanks Maureen….but clever is your most recent post for those peanut butter dog biscuits! Your dog is so cute and your pictures are wonderful! : )
Just, wow. I think I’m going to do everything you did next time I make these. I LOVE orange and chocolate. And your photos are just gorgeous!
Thanks Liz and your cookies turned out so pretty and perfect. Love your salt and sugar combo sprinkled on the top! : )
Happy New Year Anne!!! Hope your holidays were fabulous!! What a way to start the New year. Congratulations! These cookies do look like a cookie monster’s dream! And they are SO cute! Love the heart shape and the perfectly straight line with the chocolate. Sort of reminds me of a very old Twilight Zone or was it a Star Trek? Chocolate and sea salt – the BEST combo! Headed to check out the other cookies.
Thanks MJ! Hope you had a nice blogging break for the holidays and that you enjoyed them! Looking forward to your return and all the fabulous stuff you are going to cook up in your beautiful new kitchen! Happy New Year my friend! : )
I’d like to try to make these, but I know they wouldn’t be anywhere near as gorgeous as yours! Happy new year, Anne!
Thanks Krista….and I feel the same way about the Mississippi Mud Cupcakes you made for Cake Slice! I’m sorry I had to miss last month. But looking forward to baking with you again this year! Hope you have a Happy New Year, too!
: )
Anne, these are so pretty! And I too, am a shortbread NUT! Thanks for the recipe, love the orange zest addition, so yummy sounding! Hope you’re having a great start to the new year, blessings, Chris
Thanks Chris! And your roasted cauliflower soup is just stunning! Happy New Year to you! : )
Happy New Year, Anne! So delicious & pretty
Happy New Year Bibi! So delicious and pretty describes your wonderful banana and walnut layer cake! : )
I’ve been loving shortbread lately and adore the orange/chocolate combo. Will definitely be baking up your recipe with my family!
I love shortbread, too! And eggplant and split pea soup! So I am excited to try your recipe combining both…it looks beautiful! : )
omg anne! you have outdone yourself with these cookies. they looks so buttery and i adore your addition of fleur de sel, orange and chocolate. so many great ingredients all married together…heheh
Thanks Abeer! And I am inspired to use my avocados in baking with your beautiful Marble Pound Cake! : )
I swear, I want to be a fly on the wall in your kitchen! You are a master!!!! These are beautiful and I love the flavor combo! HAPPY New Year Anne!
Thanks Tiffany…..and I love ALL of the flavor combos in your beautiful (literally) smoothies! Happy New Year! : )
Anne, I adore the combination of orange and chocolate- and on shortbread? I am in love.
I have been craving citrus….looking forward to spring, I think!
Thanks Joy! And I am looking forward to spring, too. But in the meantime I will have to enjoy warm dishes like your creamy cauliflower potato soup! That just looks yummy! : )
These looks SO delicious (and pretty)! I love the combination of chocolate and orange!
Thanks Amanda….and may I just say I love the combination of tequila and shrimp! That was one beautiful dish that you made! : )