Scottish shortbread is a gift tradition in my family. Do you know what it is? My mother was born in Scotland in 1915. She had ten brothers (picture that!) and one sister. They came to America in batches, with my oldest uncles coming first through Toronto, Canada, to Detroit, Michigan. My mother was 11 when she moved with her parents. Recipes require no boxes, traveling with ease to new places, so shortbread made the journey, too.
Shortbread is “short” because of the butter. In addition, there’s sugar, a pinch of salt, and some flour. It’s amazing how so few ingredients can taste so good when baked. I’ve been making it since I was a little girl. The secret seems to be in the handling of the dough and shaping it into rounds to bake. I’ve made three batches (12 rounds) already this year, and may make one more as my husband loves a piece with his morning coffee. I gave a piece to my 12-year-old-granddaughter last week and asked, “Do you like it?” She replied, “Yes!” And I said, “Good. It’s part of your heritage, so I’ll teach you how to make it.”
What do I do with it? I give it as gifts – to the delightful women who clean my house, my hairdresser, the couple who invite us for their Open House every year, my neighbors, special friends. It’s a labor of love. I’ve done this for so long that people anticipate its arrival. When Paulette goes home with her Christmas gift bag, for instance, her daughter asks, “Where’s my shortbread?” Last year, I sent a copy of the recipe so the daughter could try it herself. Most folks, though, say, “I like it better when you make it.”
Do you have a gift-giving tradition involving food? Please share! It’s one of the things that makes Christmas special.