Poppy Seed Shortbread is tender and flaky shortbread speckled with poppy seeds. They’re buttery, rich, and simply delicious.

This recipe is part of a #ChristmasCookies Week. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures possible.

I don’t know about you but I love shortbread. That slicky, buttery, sweet little crunchy cookie is just delectable. Not to mention they are actually quite easy to make.

When we were growing up mom always made sure of that at some point in time throughout the year we had Walkers shortbread. It was the only shortbread cookie that you could find back in the day. So if we were at Disney World or Busch Gardens or other touristy places like that which might sell it, she would find it and buy a tin.

We would crack open that tin can eat one piece apiece and close the tin up. We would savor those tiny little fingers of shortbread as long as we possibly could. Dad would inevitably dip his in coffee because Dad likes dipping all of his cookies and coffee.

That slightly sweet super buttery and crunchy texture had me hooked from the first time I bit into one of those little delicious cookies. However, for whatever reason, I never made shortbread cookies. Don’t ask me why I just never did it’s not something that was on my radar to make, I always thought that they were very difficult to make and they’re really not!

If you can make pie crust then you could make shortbread cookies!

Because poppy seed shortbread is just as simple as making a pie crust. Which is basically what shortbread dough is. Pie crust and shortbread recipes are simply a mixture of flour and butter and sugar. Of course there’s other flavoring as you can add like different extracts and nuts.

But basically shortbread cookies are the same as pie crust. In fact I think that there are two types of pie crust. Back in the day, there was a cookie based crust and one being a shortbread crust. I’m pretty sure you could find some older recipes that talk about a shortbread crust for a pie. But don’t quote me on that since I haven’t done the research yet.

The first time I made shortbread cookies I made them the more traditional way. For the coffee shortbread cookies, I grabbed a pastry blender and combined the butter and the flour together with the sugar and used what little arm strength I had making them. Not that they were difficult, but did take more time to make the dough.

Then I found a recipe for empanada dough that is made in the food processor.

That got me searching for recipes or techniques that make pie crust in the processor. And, well, since I know pie crust and shortbread cookies are basically the same, I thought, “Why not try this recipe in the food processor?” So, that’s just what I did!

I pulsed the flour, powdered sugar, and diced butter in the processor until it looked like coarse meal. Then I set to full on power and let it do it’s thing until the dough started to come together. That’s when I added the vanilla bean paste and let it continue to come together.

When starts to form a complete ball, that’s when I added the poppy seeds. You don’t want to break those suckers down so I left them until the very end to add them. And that’s when you’d add the lemon zest if you want to use that. Since the hubs doesn’t like citrus desserts that much, I did not add zest to these cookies.

Yes, I did let these get a little more brown around the edges. I had the first back in for 13 minutes and set these for the same amount of time. Who knew they’d darken right up around the edges like that? Not that they taste bad. I love that extra crispy edge. Just make sure you keep an eye on yours and pull them when they’re just a little brown around the edges of the cookies.

They will continue to cook in the pan. Just like a steak continues to cook after you pull it from the heat, cookies and baked goods do the same thing. Carry over cooking. So even though they might look like they’re not cooked enough, the carry over cooking will allow them to be the perfect amount of done!

I love the flecks of poppy seeds in there!

And they have a hint of poppy seed flavor in them, too. Which surprised me! I didn’t think there were enough in there to flavor the shortbread, but this poppy seed shortbread does taste like poppy seeds! It took me a few cookie tastings to be sure, but it’s there. Hmm. I wonder what other seeds I can put in there? Sesame? Fennel? Cumin? Those sound interesting.

Friday Christmas Cookie Recipes

• Chocolate Bonbons by That Recipe
• Chocolate Caramel Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies by West Via Midwest
• Chocolate Dipped Soft Gingerbread Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
• Chocolate espresso icebox cookies by Leftovers Then Breakfast
• Chocolate-Dipped Orange Logs by Eat Move Make
• Christmas Magic Bars by Devour Dinner
• Christmas Monster Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal Cookies by Blogghetti
• Easy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies by YumGoggle
• Eggnog Snickerdoodles by Family Around the Table
• Grinch Heart Thumprint Cookies by The Spiffy Cookie
• Holiday Everything Cookies by Frugal & Fit
• Honey Walnut Cookies by Books n’ Cooks
• Lavender Snickerdoodles by Palatable Pastime
• Linzer Cookies by Lemon Blossoms
• Little Monster Cookie Bites by Jersey Girl Cooks
• Maple Sugar Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Mocha Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Making Miracles
• Mocha Sandies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pecan Pie Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Peppermint Bark Surprise Cookies by Our Sutton Place
• Pinwheel Cookies by Simply Inspired Meals
• Poppy Seed Shortbread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Sadie’s Double Pecan Butter Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Small Batch Pecan Fingers by Art of Natural Living
• Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies by Sweet Beginnings
• Spiced Holiday Cutouts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookies by Swirls of Flavor
• White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Molasses Cookies by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Welcome to #ChristmasCookies week where more than 25 bloggers are sharing cookie recipes perfect for your holiday celebrations. Hosted by Ellen from Family Around the Table, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures and Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks, we invite you to not only check out the recipes but enter the amazing giveaway.

Don’t miss one delicious cookie recipe! Follow along on Pinterest.

Prize 1: Tower of Treats from Millican Pecan Company

Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800’s, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is an 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.

Prize 2: An Assortment of Flavored Extracts from Adams Extract and Spices

In January 2013, Adams, one of the oldest continuously operated companies in Texas and one of oldest spice and extract companies in the United States, celebrated its 125th birthday and was awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award, an award sponsored by State Bill 920 that recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 years and pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

Today, Adams proudly manufactures and markets under several Adams Brand banners, including Adams Best®, Adams Extract®, Adams® Seasoning & Spice, Adams Reserve®, Flavor King™, Pantry Basics™, Sear-n-Crust®, ClearVan™, Carniceria®, Cocina del Rey®, Naturals™, and Urban Canner™ along with the Adams Frozen Skillet Desserts and Adams Premium Ice Cream lines. In addition, Adams is proud to manufacture for some of the nations most respected Private Label Brands as well as other legacy Regional Seasoning Brands and is used to flavor many commercially produced food products around the nation.

Prize 3: A Set of Baking Pans from Anolon

Established in the 1950’s, Meyer Manufacturing started by making and selling flashlights. In 1971 they started their journey into selling cookware. By 1986 they released the world’s first hard-anodized nonstick cookware which revolutionized the world of home cooking. Their nonstick surface didn’t flake or scratch easily.

Today they sell bakeware with nonstick interior and exterior made with a special sapphire-reinforced blend that is triple coated. NOTE: Color may vary from the photo above.

Prize 4: An Assorted Baking Box from Sweets & Treats

Make Sweets & Treats your one-stop shop for all your holiday sprinkle needs. In addition to fun, festive and colorful sprinkles, Sweets & Treats offers cupcake liners, edible glitters, sugars, and more.

Founded in 2010 by Shannon Harvey out of an industry need for bold, bright cupcake liners and baking supplies that are the life of the party! Based in Louisiana, Sweets & Treats is a designer cupcake liner manufacturer and party supply company that creates exclusive greaseproof cupcake liners, sprinkles, sprinkle mixes, paper straws, and other baking supplies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Four (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages.

Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway open to US Residents only who are 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry.