It's Cookie Time

This year I'm thinking about giving out loads of homemade goodies as gifts. Time to start experimenting with recipes. Here's one I am going to whip up over the weekend.

Maple-Walnut Shortbread

Serves 36 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 1hr

Ingredients

* 1 cup unsalted butter
* 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1/2 cup maple syrup
* 1 egg, separated
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts


Directions

1. Heat oven to 300° F. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and egg yolk until smooth. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, and salt until combined.

2. Spread the dough into an ungreased 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-inch jelly-roll pan or cookie sheet with sides.

3. Beat the egg white in a small bowl with a fork until foamy. Spread evenly over the dough. Sprinkle on the nuts and press them gently into the dough.

4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the shortbread shrinks slightly from the sides of the pan. Do not overcook; you want them to be a little chewy. Cut diagonally into 3-by-1 1/2-inch bars.