Shortbread Cookies, Christmas-fied

Yes, I am using more crushed up candy cane in my cookies, and no, I will not apologize; it is DELICIOUS!

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup icing sugar

Several candy canes, crushed

1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whisk the flour and salt together in a small bowl.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, 2 or 3 minutes on medium to high speed with your electric mixer. Add the flour/salt mixture and beat at medium speed until combined.

Empty the dough into a small pan - I'm not sure of the dimensions in the one I used, but it can be seen in the picture below! A 8x8 or 9x9 works. If you double the recipe, you can use a cookie sheet. Press the dough into the pan, and use a fork to poke several holes in it. Place pan in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.

While your shortbread is baking, crush several candy canes. You want the pieces small enough that people aren't breaking their teeth on the cookies (see an example of size in the picture below). I had the candy canes in a plastic zipper bag and used the flat side of a meat tenderizer. I remember Mom banging a heavy cast iron frying pan down on the counter to crush them! Whatever works best for you or lets the most stress out!

When the shortbread is done and the edges are turning a lovely golden brown, sprinkle the 1/2 cup or so of chocolate chips evenly over the cookies (or cookie, at this point).

Put the pan back in the oven for a bit, just until the chocolate starts to melt. Using the flat side of a teaspoon (or a spatula), spread the chocolate over the shortbread. Sprinkle the candy cane on top of the melted chocolate. While the shortbread is still warm, cut into cookies. I got about 2 dozen out of this recipe.

My mom used to make some like this every Christmas, and when I asked my little brother (26 - not that little), who won't be able to make it home for Christmas :'(, what cookies he wanted me to send up to him, these are the ones he requested. I hope they make him feel a little more cozy and full of Christmas spirit while he's away from his family this year!