For this week I plan to take you embark you all on a tour through what I like to call Kitchen Belleicious’s Candy Lane. Every year since I was old enough to be in the kitchen I remember helping my mom make cookies and candies to take to our friends and family during the weeks leading up to Christmas. It was our way of saying we are thinking of you and cherish our friendship. As a grown woman it brings a smile to my face to carry on this tradition in my own family. Although my son ( and soon to be sons) are not yet at the age to help me in the kitchen Grant sure does get to reap the benefits from his mother’s cooking and enjoy visiting our friends as we drop off each goodie package.
Whether or not this is something you do during Christmas rest assured these recipes make a perfect little something sweet all throughout the year for your average day or a special occasion. Up today is my Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbreads. They are EASY,EASY,EASY and like my son say’s, TASTY, TASTY, TASTY. Heads up! When you are baking goodies for a lot of people the key to success is simplicity. Make something easy and yet delicious and then do something fun and creative with the packaging. Its not just the goodies they will love but the whole package!
Speaking of packaging- don’t forget to enter the Scrap Bits Giveaway! Click Here to Enter!
Oh before I leave you today, remember when I was telling you all about my dream kitchen and all the new appliances I would get for it? Well, I came across the most amazing and neatest website ever that gives you what seems like a million kitchen ideas for your current or dream kitchen. Any type of design you could imagine for your cooking space is on this site. From decor, paint colors, cabinetry and much more they have everything you need.
I am amazed at the amount of information available with just the click of a button. They have ideabooks for you, professionals you can speak with and even their own set of products you can buy right there on the spot. Although its going to be a while before I will see this staircase in my house I do love to dream and just had to show you thus picture. However, the bar stools and chair could easily be done sooner rather than later
I just had to let you all in on this new little secret site of mine. I could spend hours on it and I hope you like it as much as I did! A few of the designs I am loving from Houzz are below.
- 1 stick, unsalted butter at room temperature
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly grated orange zest
- 8 ounces mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup AP flour
- Cream the butter with sugar using a handheld mixer. Mix in vanilla then salt, orange zest and flour. Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips and stir with hand. Roll the dough out into ½ inch rectangle and cut into strips, rectangles or bars. Prick the tops with a fork and bake at 300 for 25 minutes.
These look absolutely delicious! I’ve been thinking of making some shortbread cookies, bookmarking this recipe to try. 🙂
Sign me up for the sweet tour. What a delicious start with this cookie! I’m always looking for something new to add to the holiday baking.
Best,
Bonnie
For some strange reason, cookies are my nemesis – when I want crispy, they come out chewy. When I want chewy, they are crispy. And so on. But I think these would be worth facing my cookie demons!!!
They look awesome! What a treat. I feel so under prepared this year for Christmas!!
I needed my dose of KB and you did not disappoint! I’m not a shortbread fan but these look AMAZING.
i want! i want! i want! not necessary have to wait till christmas, i can have this anytime! ooh, can imagine the buttery taste of the shortbreads plus the crunchy bites of the chocolates. Am really excited to see all of your christmas treats this week!! so it’s a boy??
That’s a fantastic tradition to bring some cheer to family and friends. You are so right about making it easy when baking lots and lots of goodies. These look so tasty. I may just give it a try.
Not just tasty, but pretty too! I’ve never made shortbread and this recipe looks tempting. Thanks for sharing it Jessica.
Hi There, The christmas cookies are looking super gorgeous and am sure must be truly delightful to munch. Nothing can beat freshly baked cookies from the oven in the festive season…ofcourse you are most welcome to stop by for coffee and other delicacies, if you plan to visit this side, wud love to catch up with you. Regards, sonia
They look “melt in your mouth” good! Your friends/family are lucky to have those 🙂
mmmmm….yummy!! and easy!! my to favorite things! 🙂
I can’t wait to bake with Kaylin! This post makes me even more excited about it! I bring her in the kitchen every time I cook or bake now- so fun. I try to explain to her what I’m doing. She seems entertained ;). The shortbread looks so yummy- bet its melt in your mouth good!
Wow, those look wonderful!
Making tons of cookies for family and friends was always a tradition in my house growing up…one that continues to this day. Great combination of flavors in this recipe.
I’m always amazed at how powerful a flavor orange zest can be. These look extremely tasty and easy!
Cookies are the BEST way to show you care, in my opinion! And these look delicious…shortbread is such a fabulous thing. Especially with chocolate added in!
Are you sending Christmas packages my way?? HEHE. With a big red bow. =)
This looks like the most delicious thing I have ever seen.
These cookies look mouthwatering!
Nice tradition, to give and to receive cookies. We gave and received fruit cakes, it was common where I grew up
I would LOVE to add these to my cookie trays!
I like what I’m hearing…easy and tasty! My kind of cookie. 😉 I love adding orange to desserts, it adds such a nice dimension of flavor. These would be adorable for a little Christmas gift. x
My son is IN LOVE with chocolate chip anything… I bet he’d eat these!
And those kitchens – mmmm! I love those stools!
Shortbread is such a treat and your spin as always takes it over the top! happy Holidays.
Christmas is the time for giving and I can image the smiles from the people when they receive these cookies! I couldn’t look at beautiful kitchen like that as it makes me dream for a DREAM kitchen too much.
The first kitchen is to.die.for! As are your amazing shortbread cookies….mmmmmmm.
Mmmm. I never get very excited about shortbread, but if there’s chocolate involved that’s another story. These look so buttery and chocolaty and delicious!
Hey we have the same tradition in our home too! lLove thjs recipe and love the country white chair!
I just stumbled upon your blog and loved it! Shortbread is one of my all time fave cookies – and I love how you add choc chips in it 🙂
The site AND the shortbread look awesome! I am trying both.
I’m excited for a week of goodies!! Loving the first entry, shortbread rocks!!
I love your idea of Kitchen Belleicious’s Candy Lane! SO cute! Shortbread and sable are my favorite types of cookies! Looks delicious with the hint of orange!
What a sweet tradition and such a nice gesture. I would be so grateful to be the recipient of homemade *anything from your kitchen.
I’ve been on that site but haven’t really looked around… Off to do so right now!
Oh what a nice tradition! I love shortbread cookies and these look extra special!
I have to check out that kitchen website!
Absolutely Delicious!!!!
Girl I am so so ready for the swap… These look so good…
Yumm, I bet chocolate and orange make a wonderful combination here…
I am stuck at that kitchen. The cookies would look great in that kitchen. The kitchen would look even better with the cookies.
I’m dreaming of that Mediterranean kitchen!! I could bake lots of cookies in there! I’d probably never want to leave either!! I do alot of baking and giving of cookies too, gift from the heart! Shortbread is always well received and chocolate and orange just compliment each other perfectly!!
WOW. Those look yummy. I love shortbread. Thank you for sharing.
I just love your Mini Chocolate Chip Orange Shortbreads recipe.. it sounds amazing. And let me say.. I love that chair above.. beautiful
Oh those kitchens are to die for! Ah, a girl can dream. And I love that you give away cookies to your friends and family. That is such a sweet idea! 🙂
That’s what I love about the holidays…all the cookies! Now how do I get some of these delivered to me? 😉
Great looking shortbreads – love the combination of orange and chocolate, so I have to give this a try.
Love those bar stools too – what a great website.
Sue 🙂
What a great recipe – and two of my favorites – chocolate and orange!
these chocolate shortbread cookies look divine! love how they look like biscottis. schmancy. 🙂 sending some #cookielove to you! thanks for joining our #lovebloghop!
Those kitchens are beautiful. I dream of having one that big to hold all the gadgets I dream of using. And I love the stairs.
I hope you are doing well.
Shortbread cookies are my favorites…your version with orange & chocolate is a very perfect combo.
I probably would pick shortbread over any other cookies. Growing up they were my all time favorite. This recipe sounds and looks great. I am really excited to try these.