I have a friend who used to sew matching pajamas for herself, her husband, and their 3 kids every Christmas. The fabric was usually flannel and covered with Santas, snowmen, reindeer and other Christmas-themed designs. I’m fairly certain that no one in my family would have wanted matching pajamas so I didn’t even think of going there. But I always thought that was a fun idea. In my own way, I adopted her tradition, but for me it was Christmas slippers. Every year I buy a new pair of holiday slippers. These Christmas Slippers cookies are a nod to family traditions everywhere. Wear your matching pajamas with pride! And snack on Christmas Slippers while you do it.
“Good news, bad news. Always wear your dancin’ shoes.” Kasha
These cookies are hard to resist. Since they’re small, it’s really easy to eat 3 or 4 without even blinking an eye. Chocolate-dipped shortbread is one of my favorite sweet treats and these pretty Christmas slippers are just about the perfect treat for children of all ages. A plate full of them left out for Santa will bring a hearty “Ho Ho Ho” from the big guy.
Cookie specifics
Shortbread. The combination of European butter and vanilla bean makes this shortbread cookie one of the yummiest cookies I make. It’s buttery, crumbly and light. Dipping one end in melted chocolate gives these shortbread “sticks” the characteristic look of slippers. Adding a little bling makes them fancy enough to hold their own among all the Christmas decorations.
Shapes
The letter “i” from a collection of alphabet cookie cutters. Years ago I got a huge container of plastic cookie cutters — Betty Crocker 101 Cookie Cutters. The “i” used for these Christmas Slippers is from that collection.
Sizes
Size of the cookie cutter I used is 2¼ inches high by ¾ inch wide. 2½ to 3 inches is my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Cookies
I developed this Shortbread recipe over the course of several months in my quest to duplicate the taste and texture of a shortbread cookie from a now-closed bakery in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Once I perfected the recipe, it became a cookie that I now bake for many occasions throughout the year.
Icing & Embellishments
Glaze for Piping: This glaze/icing dries hard enough that you can stack or package the cookies without damaging the embellishments. I often use it exclusively or in combination with Royal Icing.
Glaze for Piping Recipe
Chocolate for Dipping: I prefer Guittard semi-sweet and white chocolate baking wafers for dipping. The flavor is excellent. No matter what brand of chocolate you use, make sure it’s one that you would eat all by itself.
Cookies
Shortbread: flour, butter, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Glaze for Piping: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
White Chocolate Baking Wafers: sugar, cocoa butter, nonfat milk, vanilla
Semi-sweet Chocolate Baking Wafers: cacao beans, evaporated cane syrup, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin
Plate, Box or Bag?
Bags. These cookies are perfect packaged in pairs (of course!) in small (3"x4") food-safe bags. I folded the top of the bag over the back and sealed it with a Christmas sticker. This makes the cookies stackable and prevents damage to the decorations.
Mailing. I did mail quite a few of these Christmas Slippers to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I use the boxes provided by the Post Office and lots of bubble wrap. The cookies arrived undamaged and were appreciated by all.
What I’ve learned...
You can’t have too many cookies at Christmas time. And there is no such thing as too many decorations either. These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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