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I just love shortbread cookies. So versatile and simple.

I like to keep a batch of shortbread dough on hand for a quick treat or just to unexpectedly brighten someone’s day A delightful way to make a simple shortbread cookie spectacular is to roll the dough in coconut and add a favorite jam.

This was not an original idea, I spotted a beautiful photo in one of Ina Garten’s books a few years ago and just loved the idea of coconut and shortbread. Another twist for this versatile dough is to roll it in nuts and then add a little fig or apricot preserves.

So many options! Please feel free to share your favorite way to make your shortbread shine!

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Coconut Shortbread Cookies

3 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg for egg wash
1 cup shredded sweet coconut
Your favorite jam

Cream together the butter and sugar until nice and fluffy. Add vanilla. Combine flour and salt, slowly add to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together.
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Roll the dough into small balls, about an inch in size. Dip into the egg wash and then roll in coconut. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheet. Press your thumb lightly in the center of each cookie and then place a dollop of your favorite jam into the thumbprint. Bake until the cookies and coconut are a lovely golden color and your kitchen is so aromatic that scorching your tongue on a hot cookie does not sound all that bad.

Enjoy!

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Andrea Charroin was a trained baker and pastry chef in San Francisco before she and her family moved to Redding nine years ago. After falling in love with Redding’s downtown, Andrea and husband Westley opened a little pastry shop, Rene-Joule Patisserie, across from the Cascade Theatre. For the three years Rene-Joule was in business, it was renowned for making everything from scratch, using the best ingredients and keeping with a seasonal menu. To this day, Andrea is asked about her Marathon Bars, Orange Twists and sourdough bread.