Sometimes we need to bring extraordinary to our lives. These fun and easy mushroom-shaped shortbread cookies will do just that without a risk. The best part about food is making people and these sweet button mushrooms will definitely put a smile on everyone's face.
I made these cute mushroom shortbread cookies months ago and even gave you a sneak peek in my behind the scenes post but then completely forgot about those photos. FYI: the cookies don't contain mushrooms! They have almost fallen between the cracks but luckily I got sick and found them.
I mean, luckily I found them.
What started out as a sore throat two weeks ago has progressed into a full dragon living in my chest, robbing me of my voice, and spitting fire all night long. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and not being able to see my granddaughters.
This has got to stop!
So finally, I decided to ignore the dragon, cheer myself up with something fun (like finding out what I would look like if I were a man) and maybe even get productive for a change. First things first I attempted yoga...in bed...with my dog beside me. I stretched, she stretched. That was the extent of it. Only one of us wagged her tail.
After hours of fiddling around and losing myself in meaningless stories on the Internet, all while suppressing the dragon (I'm good at multitasking), I finally got up to make lunch.
On the menu:
The Russian version of a mushroom dish I love that I was also going to share with you. But alas, the Russian version needs cheese and I was out of cheese. Needless to say, you and the Russian Nation will have to wait before I share that recipe (Update: the Russian mushroom recipe is published).
Anyhow, I went back to feeling sorry for myself and got immersed into the Internet once again.
Only this time I visited blogs I follow to see what they've been up to. I regularly visit He Needs Food for photography inspiration because I adore John's style. John is a former chef, an Australian of Croatian descent - another reason I'm drawn to his blog. His recipes are a mix of the two worlds plus everything in between.
Once on his blog, I immediately remembered my mushroom cookies and went on a search of my photos. You see, it is John's post of mushroom cookies that inspired me to share my own version with you in the first place.
I've never seen them styled and photographed in such a way that makes you want to reach into your screen and pick one (and I've seen and eaten many of these cookies in my life). He's simply amazing!
Mushroom Shortbread Cookies
[bctt tweet="#Cookies don't have to be boring. Shape them into #mushrooms and watch them disappear! " username="via all_thats_jas"]
Don't you just love how adorable these mushroom shortbread cookies look? My granddaughter refused to try them thinking I was tricking her into eating real mushrooms. More for grandma, ha!
What I love about them, besides how fun and easy they are to make, is that you can adjust the flavor to your liking. Now to think of it, I should've added sage or rosemary as I did in my lemon sage shortbread cookies. It would make more sense. Oh, well...You get the idea.
Now excuse me while I go tame my dragon with these sweet mushrooms.
Ingredients:
Makes 40-46
- 2 sticks unsweetened butter, softened
- 1 cup powder sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons superfine sugar (optional)
~ Free Tip ~
Add lemon zest and vanilla instead of almond extract, or add herbs like sage or rosemary for a sweet/savory version. Serve on a bed of "dirt" - crushed Oreo cookies.
Directions:
- With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and almond extract and beat shortly until combined.
- Stir in flour, cornstarch, and baking powder and mix or knead until soft dough forms. The dough should not stick to your hands. Add more flour if necessary.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a tablespoon, take a small amount of dough and roll between your hands into a ball. Place on a large parchment paper-lined baking pan or nonstick cookie sheet.
- Here's the trick to the mushrooms: Using the top of a glass bottle without the cap, dip the top into water then into cocoa powder. Gently press into each ball of dough and remove carefully.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Oven temperatures vary, so keep your eye on the cookies so they don't burn. Roll tops of cookies in the fine sugar, if desired.
Fun and Easy Mushroom Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsweetened butter softened
- 1 cup powder sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons superfine sugar optional
Instructions
- With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and almond extract and beat shortly until combined.
- Stir in flour, cornstarch, and baking powder and mix or knead until soft dough forms. The dough should not stick to your fingers. Add more flour if necessary.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a tablespoon, take a small amount of dough and roll between your hands into a ball. Place on a large parchment paper-lined baking pan or nonstick cookie sheet.
- Here's the trick to the mushrooms: Using the top of a glass bottle without the cap, dip the top into water then into cocoa powder. Gently press into each ball of dough and remove carefully.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Oven temperatures vary, so keep your eye on the cookies so they don't burn.
- Roll tops of cookies in the fine sugar, if desired.
Notes
Pin it: Fun and Easy Mushroom Shortbread Cookies
See this recipe featured at Grammy's Grid, Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond, Love My Big Happy Family, and So What Now What.
Hi! Can I share your recipe on my start-up's instagram page! We work on developing mushroom-based meat alternatives, but our Instagram page features everything related to mushrooms and food systems. You can check it out @mycovation_ if you'd like.
Hi Rachel, thanks for asking. I don't mind if you share a photo and link back to my handle @all_thats_jas
However, these cookies are not made with mushrooms - they're just shaped to look that way, so I'm not sure how they'd fit with your mission statement. 🙂
These look delicious, and they're so cute. I love the arrangement on the recipe card. These would be great at a Fairy Garden party. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
That's a great idea! Thanks!
Congrats Jas! Your post was featured at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. See here: http://grammysgrid.com/blogging-grandmothers-link-party-16/
Thank you so much, Dee! You made my day 😀
Love this idea. So creative, so fun, and such a good talking point if taking them somewhere.
Thanks, Chris! I totally agree 🙂
Yum!! Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I'm sharing your post on social media.
Thank you!
What a cute idea Jas and they look great! thanks for sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've shared on social media.
Thank you much, Sue!
These are so cute and I just know they are tasty as well. Thank you for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.
Thanks, Clearissa!
Those are awesome. I thought they were real mushrooms in the pic!! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
Yay, I tricked you 😀 LOL. Thanks, Lori!!!
Your cookies are amazing! Hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. We will look forward to seeing you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you! Have a great weekend.
How cute, looks like a little mushroom garden, very unique! Thank you Jas for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.
Thank you! 🙂