Spiced Oatmeal Shortbread

Steph's Bite by Bite blog must be seriously inspiring me because this is the second time I've made a recipe after seeing her post it on her blog. First, it was these Pumpkin Pie Bars/Brownies. Now, it was her Spiced Oatmeal Shortbread Wedges. What can I say? Her stuff just looks good, really good.

I did alter the recipe, however, based upon my own taste and limitations. I didn't toast the oats simply because I sort of missed that step when I was reading the recipe. Oops. Well, there's always a next time. I also increased the brown sugar and, since I like my cookies spicy, I increased the spices as well and added some cardamom. Then, since I don't have a food processor (I'm telling you, one of these days I'll get one), I cut the butter in by hand using a pastry cutter. It's just as effective, but it'll take a little longer. Finally, I used turbinado sugar on the top instead of regular sugar to add a little extra crunch.

As I type this out, the cookies are baking in my oven right now and it smells incredible. The oats on top also give it a nice rustic look.

The taste, at first, was incredibly subtle. I almost thought that maybe I should have tripled the spices. But, after letting the cookies sit for a day, the flavors had time to set and I could really taste that nice spiciness. I think I'd increase the sugar, just a little more, but these cookies are still a good change from the everyday shortbread.


Note: My changes to the recipe are in blue. For the original recipe, just click on the title below.

Spiced Oatmeal Shortbread (adapted from Steph's Bite by Bite)

1/2 c. regular rolled oats
1 c. flour
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cardamom
1/2 c. butter, diced
2 tsp. milk (I omitted this)
1 Tbsp. turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 325F. Spread oats out on a baking sheet and bake 6-8 min. until oats are light brown. Let cool completely. In a food processor, combine 1/3 c. cooled oats with the flour, brown sugar, and spices. Cover and process until oats are ground. Add butter pieces to food processor. Cover and pulse until mixture just comes together. Form dough into a ball.

Pat dough into an 8" circle on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, make a scalloped edge. Brush dough lightly with milk (I omitted this). Sprinkle with the remaining oats and sugar; press oat mixture lightly into the dough. Cut into 10 wedges (leave in wedges in circle).

Bake for 25-30 min. or until center is set. Recut circle into wedges while warm. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 min. Transfer cookies to wire rack and let cool.

This recipe is linked to:
Tuesdays At the Table
A Beautiful Mess' Tasty Tuesdays
Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesdays
Hearth and Soul Hop
Whatcha Makin' Wednesday
Eat at Home's Ingredient Spotlight: Oats