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With Salt and Wit

Laugh Often. Eat Well.

1 October 2, 2014 Desserts

Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Toffee Drizzle

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season! How do we all feel about sugar cookies?

After Tuesday’s treat and the overwhelming love they received, I would say pretty good!

I mean, who has a tiff with sugar cookies? The pure, classic vanilla flavor that once it hits your tongue, it just makes you smile. They are the perfect functional cookie – great for holiday baking, decorating, cutting into shapes and they all hold well for icing, sprinkles and travels.

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season! So I was in my kitchen experimenting with a healthier shortbread recipe. Remember the brown butter apple bread with no oil? Well the best got to me and I messed with the ingredients in today’s recipe as well. Removed half the butter and replaced with applesauce once again, and something magical happened.

The flavor of shortbread collides with the irresistible, sweetness of a sugar cookie. But not an overly, pure sugar hit. Rather leaves a buttery feel in your mouth. After reviewing the two recipes; they are rather similar. Both start with butter and sugar then flour is added, and wet ingredient to provide moisture then flavoring agents, such as vanilla extract. Although sugar cookies contain a leavening agent and eggs that contribute to their puffiness and chewiness.

Shortbreads on the other hand are sans leavening agents and eggs so they are crisper, but still retain the sugary, buttery notes that we all love.

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

When these beauties came out of the oven and cooled, I could hardly resist to cut into them. All the flavor of a sugar cookie but the buttery mouth feel and slight crispness of a shortbread!

Pure bliss.

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

I can’t forget the strawberry glaze on top. A simple icing made of powdered sugar, touch of milk, vanilla extract and strawberry jam. After the cookies get dressed, they are finished off with a toffee sprinkle. Toffee is another sweet that I cannot turn down; very similar to butterscotch!

It reminds me of my mother, as we use to sneak off in the afternoons when I was little and buy Heath Bars for a special treat. So whenever I enjoy a bit of toffee, I am taken back to those day dates filled with candy bars!

The countdown for Holiday cookie parties is on so get ready and please everyone with toffee, strawberries and sugar. No one will complain!

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Toffee Glaze

Two classic cookies come together in this lighter and sweet shortbread sugar cookie! And drizzled with a simple strawberry toffee glaze; they will be a hit this holiday season!

90 minPrep Time

18 minCook Time

1 hr, 48 Total Time

Yields 25

Author:

Megan

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups {gluten free} all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9x9 baking dish.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until creamy. Add applesauce and mix well. Then add vanilla extract and mix.
  4. Add flour mixture slowly (or you will be covered in flour!), Mix until well combined.
  5. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  7. Take dough out and flour surface. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick, then lay into prepared baking dish. Using your hands, push dough to corners until it is even, flat and fills the corners.
  8. Bake for 18 minutes, or until a touch golden brown.

Notes

*Prep time includes time for dough to chill.

7.8.1.2
128
https://withsaltandwit.com/shortbread-sugar-cookie-bars/

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1

Categories: Desserts Tags: cookies, dessert, gluten free, healthy, holiday baking, shortbreads, skinny, strawberries, sugar cookie, sweets, toffee, vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oriana @mommyhoodsdiary says

    October 2, 2014 at 6:52 am

    These cookies looks amazing and they seem to be very easy to make. Definitely need to try these recipe soon!!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:00 am

      Well thank you Oriana! Hope you enjoy them!
      Reply
  2. Becky (The Cookie Rookie) says

    October 2, 2014 at 9:41 am

    I have so many comments for this post! 1) obsessed. strawberry toffee drizzle??? STOP. 2) i need a cookie sheet like that 3) gorgeous photos. amaze!!!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Strawberry and toffee is my latest obsession! And that cookie sheet....my mom came over and was like you need a new cookie sheet! It looks awful. Too funny because she couldn't believe I want it that way!! Thanks love!
      Reply
  3. Kimberly says

    October 2, 2014 at 10:45 am

    I love sugar cookies. And shortbread. And strawberry. And toffee. And these bars, which I really wish I had one of right now!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      So these sound right up your alley! Thanks Kimberly!
      Reply
  4. Beth @ The First Year says

    October 2, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Tell me where I can find a beat up old cooking sheet like that, I can't seem to find any!! Looks amazing Meg!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Ummm just burn stuff on it repeatedly...works like a charm! Ha. Thanks Beth!!
      Reply
  5. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

    October 2, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    Oh goodness, you have me drooling again, these shortbread sugar cookie bars look fantastic!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:29 pm

      I try ;) Thanks pretty lady!
      Reply
  6. Martha @ A Family Feast says

    October 2, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    I can't believe that holiday cookie baking IS just around the corner! These look delicious - especially THAT.DRIZZLE. and this is going on my must-make list!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      I know isn't that crazy?! Thanks so much Martha!
      Reply
  7. Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} says

    October 2, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    ohmy! sugar cookies are definitely one of my favorites, there's nothing like them! I can only imagine how great these taste! I love that glaze!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      They are seriously so tasty! Thanks girlfriend!
      Reply
  8. Ashley says

    October 2, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Yum yum yum!! I love sugar cookies - they make me think of the holidays :) These look awesome - I LOVE that drizzle!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:05 pm

      I agree! Sugar cookies are just so perfect when cut into holiday shapes!
      Reply
  9. Culinary Flavors says

    October 7, 2014 at 2:06 am

    They may be small in size but large in pleasure! Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      October 7, 2014 at 7:17 am

      Oh thank you! Wonderful party :)
      Reply
  10. Anita says

    November 13, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Yum. No complaints here! Can I stop by for a taste?
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 13, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      You can anytime :) Thanks Mom!
      Reply

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Hi There!

I'm Megan! A wife, mama and have a serious love of nutritious, time-saving meals with a knack for meal prep hacks. I crave simple, wholesome and balanced meals with a bit of humor on the side! Welcome to my kitchen. Read More…

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