Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies 1 cup (140 grams) hazelnuts, toasted and skins removed3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar2 cups (280 grams) all purpose flour3 tablespoons (25 grams) cornstarch (corn flour) or rice flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature1 1/2 teaspoons (6 grams) pure vanilla extractChocolate Glaze: (optional)3 ounces (90 grams) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped1 teaspoon vegetable shorteningPreheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Place rack in center of oven. Lightly grease (or spray with Pam) two 8” or 9” (20 or 23 cm) tart pans with removable bottoms. Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until brown and fragrant and the skins start to peel. Remove from oven, place the warm hazelnuts in a clean dish towel, roll it up, and let the nuts steam for 5 minutes. Briskly rub the nuts to remove most of their skins. Set aside to let the nuts cool.Place the hazelnuts and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of the brown sugar in a food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely chopped. Set aside.In a small bowl combine the flour, cornstarch (rice flour) and salt. Set aside.In bowl of electric mixer, cream and butter and remaining brown sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until incorporated. Stir in the nut mixture.Divide the dough in half. Press each half evenly into the prepared tart pan Using a sharp knife, score (make shallow lines) each pan of shortbread into 16 even pieces. Place in preheated oven and bake until deep golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer shortbread to rack and cool for five minutes before removing from tart pan. Place the shortbread round on a cutting board and cut each shortbread round into 16 wedges (along the lines scored). Cool completely on a wire rack.While the shortbread cools make the chocolate glaze. In a stainless steel bowl, over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and shortening. Stir until chocolate is smooth and completely melted. Remove from heat. Either dip each wedge of shortbread into the chocolate or alternatively put the chocolate in a pastry bag fitted with a small tip or a paper cone and pipe chocolate in a decorative pattern. Let stand until chocolate sets. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.Makes 32 cookiesNOTE: You can use two cake pans instead of tart pans, butter and flour pans well (or spray with Bakers Joy). To remove shortbread from pans after having baked and cooled for 5 minutes, take a plate slightly smaller than the pan, place the plate of the surface of the shortbread, and invert the shortbread carefully on it. Reinvert the shortbread onto a cutting board and cut into 16 wedges (along score lines). Cool on wire rack.——————————-HUMMINGBIRD CAKETIME: Prep: 40 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling•3 cups all-purpose flour •2 cups sugar •1 teaspoon salt •1 teaspoon baking soda •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •3 eggs •2 cups mashed ripe bananas •1-1/2 cups vegetable oil •1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained •1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract •1 cup chopped walnuts ••PINEAPPLE FROSTING: •1/4 cup shortening •2 tablespoons butter, softened •1 teaspoon grated lemon peel •1/4 teaspoon salt •6 cups confectioners’ sugar •1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice •2 teaspoons half-and-half cream •Chopped walnuts, optional In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Add eggs, bananas, oil, pineapple and vanilla; beat until combined. Stir in walnuts. Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat shortening, butter, lemon peel and salt until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar alternately with pineapple juice. Beat in the cream. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired. Yield: 12-14 servings. –Taste of Home——————————-...
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