Best 7 Candied Ginger Shortbread Hearts Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our delectable Candied Ginger Shortbread Hearts. These heart-shaped cookies are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, combining the warmth of ginger with the buttery richness of shortbread. Each bite offers a symphony of textures, from the crumbly shortbread base to the chewy candied ginger. Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, Christmas, or simply seeking a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to capture your heart. Discover the magic of homemade baking with our easy-to-follow recipe, adorned with step-by-step instructions and captivating images. Embrace the joy of creating these delightful cookies and savor the delightful moments they bring.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CANDIED GINGER SHORTBREAD



Candied Ginger Shortbread image

This Candied Ginger Shortbread is a variation of our Basic Shortbread Wedges.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes two 6-inch rounds or one 8-inch round

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup confectioners' or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspooon ground white pepper

Steps:

  • Butter an 8 1/2-inch cake or springform pan; set aside. Sift 2 teaspoons ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper with the flour and salt into a small bowl; set aside. Place butter in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Cream until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add sugar, and continue to beat until very light in color and fluffy, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, about 2 minutes more. Add vanilla, if using. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger to the creamed butter-and-sugar mixture before adding the flour mixture. Add flour mixture, and combine on low speed, scraping with spatula if necessary, until flour is just incorporated and dough sticks together when squeezed with fingers.
  • Pat the dough into pan or pans. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped ginger and 1 tablespoon crystal sugar over each pan before baking.
  • Heat oven to 325 degrees. Bake until firm and just starting to color, 30 to 40 minutes.

CANDIED GINGER



Candied Ginger image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield about 1 pound

Number Of Ingredients 4

Nonstick cooking spray
1 pound fresh ginger root
5 cups water
Approximately 1 pound granulated sugar

Steps:

  • Spray a cooling rack with nonstick spray and set it in a half sheet pan lined with parchment.
  • Peel the ginger root and slice into 1/8-inch thick slices using a mandoline. Place into a 4-quart saucepan with the water and set over medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 35 minutes or until the ginger is tender.
  • Transfer the ginger to a colander to drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Weigh the ginger and measure out an equal amount of sugar. Return the ginger and 1/4 cup water to the pan and add the sugar. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar syrup looks dry, has almost evaporated and begins to recrystallize, approximately 20 minutes. Transfer the ginger immediately to the cooling rack and spread to separate the individual pieces. Once completely cool, store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Save the sugar that drops beneath the cooling rack and use to top ginger snaps, sprinkled over ice cream or to sweeten coffee.

CANDIED GINGER SHORTBREAD HEARTS



Candied Ginger Shortbread Hearts image

Categories     Cookies     Dairy     Ginger     Dessert     Bake     Summer     Gourmet     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes about 40 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger
confectioners' sugar for sprinkling the cookies

Steps:

  • In a bowl with an electric mixer cream together the butter, the brown sugar, and the ground ginger until the mixture is light and fluffy and add the flour and the salt. Beat the dough until it is just combined and beat in the candied ginger. Halve the dough, roll out each half 1/4 inch thick between sheets of wax paper, and freeze the dough on baking sheets for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is very firm. Working with half the dough at a time, remove the top sheets of wax paper and cut out cookies with a 2 1/4-inch heart-shaped cutter. (The dough should be cold so that the cookies retain their shape.) Arrange the cookies 2 inches apart on the baking sheets, bake them in batches in the middle of a preheated 300°F. oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are pale golden, and transfer them to a rack. Gather the scraps, reroll the dough, and make more cookies in the same manner. Let the cookies cool completely and sprinkle them with the confectioners' sugar, sifted. The cookies keep in an airtight container for 5 days.

GINGER SHORTBREAD



Ginger Shortbread image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 20 to 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup minced crystallized ginger (not in syrup)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and 1 cup of sugar on medium-low speed, just until they are combined. (Don¿t whip!) Add the vanilla and 2 teaspoons water and mix until combined. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until the dough starts to come together. Add the ginger, then dump onto a surface generously dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough 3/8 inch thick and cut circles with a 2 3/4-inch plain round cookie cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges start to brown.
  • Cool to room temperature and serve.

GINGER SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Ginger Shortbread Cookies image

Categories     Cookies     Ginger     Dessert     Bake     Bon Appétit     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield 36 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 1/3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger (about 1 1/2 ounces)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional powdered sugar (optional)

Steps:

  • Combine flour, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, ground ginger and salt in medium bowl. Combine crystallized ginger and 1 tablespoon sugar on work surface; chop finely.
  • Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until light. Add lemon peel and extracts. Beat in crystallized ginger mixture. Beat dry ingredients into butter mixture in 4 additions.
  • Transfer dough to floured work surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 6-inch log. Shape each log into 2x1x6-inch-long rectangular log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly butter 2 large baking sheets. Cut each dough log into 1/3-inch-thick cookies. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart (cookies will spread slightly during baking). Bake cookies until edges are pale golden, about 24 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets 3 minutes. Using metal spatula, transfer cookies to racks. Sift additional powdered sugar over warm cookies, if desired. Cool completely. (Can be made ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.)

CANDIED GINGER SHORTBREAD WEDGES



Candied Ginger Shortbread Wedges image

This wonderful holiday recipe for candied ginger shortbread wedges can be found in Season's Eatings.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 8 to 10 wedges

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 batch Basic Shortbread
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
3/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon sanding sugar

Steps:

  • Prepare basic shortbread, sifting ground ginger and white pepper with the flour and salt. Add 1/2 cup crystallized ginger to creamed butter mixture before adding flour mixture. At the end of step 2, sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger and sanding sugar. Bake until firm and just starting to color, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into wedges. Cookies will keep, in an airtight container, at room temperature for 1 week.

GINGER SHORTBREAD



Ginger Shortbread image

This is a very tasty cookie with a bit of a kick from ginger. These go very well with tea. Please only use real butter - shortbread does not lend itself to any substitutions. My dear friend,Michelle,used to serve these and shared the recipe with me. The recipe is adapted from "Traditional Scottish Cookery" by Theodora Fitzgibbon. The amount of cookies you get will very depending upon how small you cut them. I like to use a shortbread mold. NOTE: If you can't find golden syrup (also known as Cane Syrup), you may subsitute corn syrup or honey - or mix honey & corn syrup together.

Provided by HeatherFeather

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 10-15 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 ounces unsalted butter
2 ounces caster sugar or 2 ounces superfine sugar
10 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 ounces unsalted butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup or 2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 ounce candied ginger, cut in small pieces (optional)
4 tablespoons powdered sugar or 4 tablespoons icing sugar

Steps:

  • Cream the 4 ozs butter with the sugar.
  • Combine flour, 1 tsp. ginger, and baking powder; add to the butter mixture.
  • Put into a greased shortbread pan (or a 7-8" round or square baking pan) and bake at 325 F (170 C) for about 40 minutes or until done.
  • While the shortbread is baking, prepare the icing: melt together the butter, ginger, and golden syrup in a saucepan over low heat until blended and smooth.
  • Pour the icing over the hot shortbread and let it cool a little.
  • When the icing has cooled a bit, decorate the top with pieces of candied ginger.
  • Cut shortbread into shapes (wedges or rectangles).
  • Cool completely before removing from pan.
  • *Note:You may leave out the candied ginger- some may find it too spicy, especially children.

Tips:

  • Prep Your Kitchen and Tools: Before you start baking, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients, tools, and equipment (like a stand mixer, baking sheets, and cookie cutters) ready to use.
  • Softened Butter: Make sure the butter is at room temperature to ensure proper creaming and even distribution throughout the dough.
  • Measured Ingredients: Use measuring cups and spoons for accurate measurements to achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
  • Chilling the Dough: After mixing the dough, chill it for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Consistent Baking: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven to ensure even baking and prevent undercooked or overcooked treats.
  • Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake, as the cooking time may vary depending on your oven. Check for slight golden brown edges to determine doneness.
  • Handling After Baking: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.

Conclusion:

These delightful candied ginger shortbread hearts are a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and buttery flavors. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can create these charming cookies to enjoy as a snack, dessert, or gift. Remember to follow the tips provided to ensure successful baking and indulge in the heartwarming taste of candied ginger enveloped in a crisp and crumbly shortbread crust. Happy baking!

Related Topics