Description
Indulgent chocolate shortbread bites melt seamlessly into a delightful dessert experience. Crisp, buttery squares provide rich chocolate comfort that will transport guests to a sweet culinary paradise.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Chocolate Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (90 g) mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
Fat and Sweet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Topping Ingredients:
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and powdered sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until airy and pale, incorporating vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a separate vessel, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gently integrate dry ingredients into butter mixture, stirring minimally to prevent toughening the delicate dough.
- Carefully fold mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate throughout the dough, distributing evenly.
- Partition dough into two equal portions, carefully rolling each into a uniform cylindrical log approximately one inch thick.
- Tightly encase each log in plastic wrap, pressing to create a smooth surface.
- Refrigerate logs for a minimum of one hour, allowing flavors to meld and dough to solidify.
- Heat oven to 350F (175C), preparing two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal non-stick surface.
- Remove chilled logs and slice into half-inch thick medallions using a sharp knife with smooth, consistent motions.
- Arrange shortbread rounds on prepared sheets, maintaining one-inch spacing to prevent merging during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully to preserve tender interior while achieving crisp edges.
- Transfer baking sheets to cooling rack, allowing shortbread bites to reach room temperature.
- Optional: Embellish with melted chocolate drizzle and festive sprinkles for visual appeal and extra indulgence.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the bites’ perfect round shape during baking.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a rich, intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire shortbread experience.
- Experiment with mix-ins like chopped nuts or dried fruit to create unique flavor variations and add interesting texture to the classic shortbread.
- Store these delicate bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 24 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg