In mid-March JT and I went to the large National Home Show at the Enercare Centre. I found discounted tickets on Groupon AND I also found a Groupon discount code, which made the two tickets $17.80; that was an awesome deal because the regular price of the tickets are $20 each! These shows are getting more and more expensive and I really don’t understand why, the vendors pay through the nose to exhibit, AND the public pays a hefty entrance fee. The kicker was parking at $21! The Enercare Centre is not located downtown, it is slightly west but still within the city, but there is not much else around it — total money grab! And that completes my rant.
While at the show, there are always a few food vendors exhibiting and one of my favourites is a shortbread company who generously hands out samples. JT and I sampled one of their savoury shortbread cookies and I knew I had to make a batch. On the drive home, we brain-stormed the possible flavours and I knew the moment JT said caramelized onion that it had to be the one. We bought a very special sharp cheddar to accompany the sweet flavour of the caramelized onion, they were absolutely perfect!
Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Shortbread Cookies
A KitchenInspirations Original Recipe
Makes about 75 cookies that are about 3 cm in diameter.
To print recipe, please click here.
Ingredients:
- 114 g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 80 mL caramelized onions, slightly dried out, see notes
- 120 g sharp cheddar, grated
- 5 g sea salt
- 120 g “00” flour
- 90 g cornstarch
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter, caramelized onions and grated cheddar until light and fluffy (about 5-8 minutes).
- Sift the salt, flour and cornstarch into the creamed butter mixture and mix until well combined but do not overmix.
- Create two disks and wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Turn out to a lightly floured surface and roll about 4 mm thick.
- Cut with 3 cm round cookie cutter. Continue until the dough has been used up. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Serve with wine or your favourite cocktail.
Notes:
- We used the KitchenAid Flex Edge Beater, it creams the cheese, butter and onion beautifully.
- We always keep caramelized onions in the freezer in ziplock baggies for such uses. I use this recipe.
- Spread the caramelized onion on a piece of parchment and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, this allows some of the moisture to wick out and will allow the shortbread its melt-in-the-mouthfeel.
- The cheddar we used today was a Welsh cheddar.
- The “00” flour we used was an imported Italian flour.
- The rolling pin we used was this one. To be honest, I don’t love it, it’s a pain to unscrew the disks that are not required but it does roll the dough out evenly.
Anything with cheese is good. Anything with caramelized onions is good. So these must be amazing!
LikeLike
This is wild! I never had an out-and-out savory shortbread, let alone one with these fantastic-sounding flavors. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly Jeff, the savoury kind are all the rage here; hope you give them a go, they are quite lovely with a cocktail.
LikeLike
Ooh I’m definitely going to give these a try Eva!! I love onions and cheddar 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lorraine, I hope you enjoy them.
LikeLike
Savory cookies? Sign me up! Love the idea. Although I like sweets, I’m much more a fan of savory things. Excellent recipe — thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly John, they are lovely with cocktails 😉
LikeLike
Just lovely! I wish I could taste one…. I guess i’ll have to make them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Chef Mimi, they are truly delicious, I hope you have a chance to give them a try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, these sound amazing! Would be a fabulous addition to a cheese platter!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Liz, your suggestion sounds fabulous, can’t wait to try it at our next party.
LikeLike
I think I’d prefer the savory version to the sweet though the idea is new to me. GREG
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have several companies in Toronto that make savoury shortbread, they are very popular here. Hope you have a chance to try some, Greg, you will be hooked.
LikeLike
Eva, they look as if made by a professional baker and the combination of caramelised onion and cheese sounds terrific!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are too kind, Sissi, thank you for your generous compliment.
LikeLike
I adore shortbread, sweet or savoury. These look fantastic, Eva.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, Angie.
LikeLike
Sounds like another winner. Savoury is always my preferred option. And I love a strong cheddar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cheddar and caramelized onion really sets these shortbreads apart. Thank you for your kind words, Maria.
LikeLiked by 1 person