The giveaway in this post is now closed, but keep reading to find out about some really cute Christmas dishes and to get the shortbread recipe!
This post is sponsored by Q Squared NYC. As always, all opinions are 100% my own, including the opinion that these cookies are awesome.
I am so happy it’s the holiday season! Well, I mean, now I am, after my annual early-December freak out last night over the stress that this month brings (my busiest work month, two birthdays and Christmas all wrapped up into one not-so-calm package). But now, with the freak out officially behind me, I am ready to dive into present wrapping and cookie baking!
I started the whole holiday baking shebang with these chocolate-dipped peppermint shortbread cookies. I’m a sucker for shortbread. No, really, I kind of can’t control myself around the stuff. I decided to give my favorite shortbread recipe a holiday twist by incorporating chocolate and peppermint. The twist worked beautifully. And now there are about 30 ridiculously-adorable and delicious cookies taunting me in my kitchen.
These cookies are peppermint perfection. Even though there is peppermint in every element of the cookie, the peppermint flavor is not overpowering. The shortbread, which has just a hint of peppermint, is then dipped in high-quality dark chocolate, also sporting that peppermint hint. Top it all off with crunchy peppermint pieces and you’ve got yourself a COOKIE, filled with flavors and textures that work together oh so nicely. And they look crazy cute!
In addition to these lovely cookies, I have some lovely dishes to share with you today, too! You all know how much I love Q Squared. Well, I love them even more now that their holiday dishes are out! When I put in my order for the Winter’s Eve collection, I knew the dishes would be cute but I was not prepared for how much I would love them once I saw the dishes in person. Serious love, people.
Today we are giving away a complete set of the Winter’s Eve collection from Q Squared! One randomly-selected winner will receive 1 large platter, 1 serving bowl, 6 dinner plates, 6 tapas plates and 1 coaster set. To enter, please do the following by midnight PT on Tuesday December 9, 2014 (prize must be shipped to a US address):
Leave a comment on this post! Easy Peasy!Bonus entry: Like me on Instagram! (You need to leave a separate comment telling us you liked! If you previously liked, it still counts but be sure to leave the extra comment!)Bonus entry: Like Q Squared on Instagram! (You need to leave a separate comment telling us you liked! If you previously liked, it still counts but be sure to leave the extra comment!)Bonus entry: Like This Week for Dinner on Facebook! (You need to leave a separate comment telling us you liked! If you previously liked, it still counts but be sure to leave the extra comment!)Bonus entry: Like Q Squared on Facebook! (You need to leave a separate comment telling us you liked! If you previously liked, it still counts but be sure to leave the extra comment!)
Good luck with the giveaway – I wish you could all win!
And now for the recipe!
- 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract, divided into ½ and ¼ teaspoons
- 1 cup high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ cup broken peppermint pieces
- Preheat oven to 325ºF.
- Cream butter, brown sugar and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract together on medium-high speed in a stand mixer for about 3 minutes with the paddle attachment. Scrape down bowl.
- Add 1½ cups of the flour and a pinch of salt. Beat with paddle attachment on medium speed until fully incorporated.
- Set aside the paddle attachment and switch to the dough hook.
- Add the rest of the flour (3/4 cup) and mix on medium-low speed with the dough hook, kneading the dough in the mixer for about 5 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed.
- Roll dough out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thick. Using a ~2-inch sized cookie cutter, cut cookies and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Prick the tops of the cookies with a fork.
- Form leftover dough into a ball and roll back out to ½-inch thick and repeat process until you've cut all the dough into cookies.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, until bottoms of cookies are light golden brown. (The time will vary depending on how thick you actually rolled out the dough. The thinner the cookie, the less cook time.)
- When cookies have cooled completely, in a small microwave-safe bowl cook chocolate chips and coconut oil on high for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir well until all chocolate has melted.
- Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and stir well.
- Dip each cookie partially into the chocolate then set on a cooling rack to let chocolate harden. Sprinkle with peppermint pieces immediately after dipping cookie.
- Place cookies in fridge to harden the chocolate, around 30-60 minutes. When the cookies return to room temperature, the chocolate will soften a smidge. The chocolate will be hard enough so that the cookies will be pretty and stackable (for packaging and giving!) but just soft enough that it's easy to bite through when eating the cookie. Store extras in the fridge.
- You will have extra melted chocolate. I like to have extra so it's easier for dipping. Just pour it over a bowl of ice cream or spread it on a silicone baking mat, sprinkle with peppermint pieces and put in the fridge for a quick peppermint bark. You need to put that chocolate to use!
Comment #4 ellen patton was the winner of this giveaway. Congratulations, Ellen!
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I love peppermint! I’m definitely making these cookies.
Oh my goodness! How beautiful! Fingers crossed!
Stacy
So cute!
I like you on instagram!
I like you on Facebook!
I totes follow you on IG.
(And I’ve been a Facebook fan forever!!)
Peppermint and shortbread are two of my many many weaknesses. Oh and I follow TWFD on FB.
I’ve always wanted something from Q-Squared!
You had me at plaid plates!
Beautiful dishes!
These look Delish! Will try for sure!
Totally making these yummy looking cookies for the MP ward party on Friday night. And would LOVE to win the darling dishes. Pick me! 🙂
Oooooo! Such holiday magic!!
yum! I like you on facebook!
super cute pattern and your cookies look sublime!
I like you on FB
Love these!
Oh I am so going to make these! Beautiful dishes 🙂
These sound good, liked you on Facebook.
I like you on FB.
I liked Q Squared NYC on FB.
I was just wishing I had a set of Christmas dishes!!! These are darling.
These dishes would make our Christmas table complete!!! Fingers crossed
Delicious and on those plates- I could scream! So friggin cute.
Love these!
Thanks – your cookies look great!
I would love to serve a festive Christmas meal on these beautiful dishes!
Thank you Jane, I always enjoy your posts. Here’s to a mostly stress free holiday season.
Those dishes and cookies are adorable!
Ooh those ARE cute! And I’ve been really wanting Christmas plates. Great giveaway!
Those cookies are the most innovative desserts I have seen for Christmas!
I like you on FB as blessie nelson
I like QSquared on FB
I follow you on instagram as blessnel
I follow QSquared on instagram
Super cute plates, and shortbread is one of my favorite things in the whole world. I’ll definitely try out this recipe this holiday season!
Looks like a good recipe
Already liked you on FB!
I followed this week for dinner on facebook
Followed q squared on fb
Following in instagram
liked q squared on fb
following q squared on instagram!
I am going to try these cookies with my doTERRA delicious to perfection peppermint essential oil — just a teeny bit, of course. thank you, Ms. Jane!!!
just liked the cookies on Facebook!!
So very cute!
i have never owned holiday plates! Ever!
Those plates are adorable! Now that I have my own place I’m ready to beef up my Christmas collection!
I follow you on Instagram
Now I’m following Q squared on InstaG
I’ve followed you on FB for a while…
Now I like Q Squared on FB.
Hey Jane. Let me win.
I know someone that would love these!!!
I would be taunted by these cookies too. So pretty!
Those cookies look delicious!
I like you on FB!
Yum!!!
Love these cookies and the dinnerware is beautiful!
OOOh! They are so cute!
I like you on fb.
We don’t have holiday plates… 🙂
Cookies look delicious and I’d love to win the plates – they are so perfect!
Oh these are the cutest Christmas dishes I have ever seen!!!
Those cookies are beautiful!
I follow you on Instagram @kay819
Those dishes are lovely!
I follow TWFD on Instagram
I like TWFD on facebook
These are great — would love to add them to my holiday table.
I liked TWFD on facebook
I LOVE peppermint. If it comes in peppermint that’s the flavor I buy. Soap, Shampoo, chocolate, shakes. It can be a real problem!
Already like you on FB!
Already follow you on IG.
Liked Four Q Square on FB. (That could be a new problem!)
Followed QS on IG.
yes, please!
Goodness! I don’t know what is prettier – the cookies or the dishes.
Beautiful dishes and cookies 🙂
I follow you on Instagram
http://instagram.com/aleach61/
I already “Like” you on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/amy.l.leach
I love this dishes…so cute!
I like you on Facebook…
yum! I love shortbread as well.
I like TWFD on FB.
These look so good! Liked on FBook 🙂
Beautiful!
mmm these cookies sound awesome. what a great giveaway!
i follow you on instagram
i follow q squared on instagram
i like your blog on facebook
i like q squared on facebook
Thanks for the giveaway! Love shortbread and peppermint – added to my cookie list!
I love shortbread and can’t wait to try this!
I liked you on Facebook
Shortbread is my favorite I love how you decorated these. Can’t wait to try your recipe! Thanks for the chance!
Following QSquared on Instagram
I liked you and am new follower on FB!
Like QSquared on FB
Cookies look so yummy and the dishes are beautiful.
Something about a birthday and Christmas just makes December all the more stressful!
I like you on Facebook
Those turn out so pretty and professional looking!
Wow! Those dishes are CUTE! I know you profess your love for that company often so I think I will finally check out their website 😉
I do follow you on instagram. yay!
delicious cookies, awesome plates!
Super cute plates!
These cookies look irresistible!!
I already like you on FB <3
And now I like Q squared on FB too 🙂
Lovely dishes!
Peppermint and Choc make baking at Christmas the best! Another great recipe to try, thanks!
Beautiful dishes!peppermint chocolate This is pure delight for your taste buds.