A Different Christmas Cookie

A few years ago I was looking through cookbooks for something new to put on the cookie plate at Christmas.   I came across this fun recipe for tiny little shortbread cookies called Elf Bites (even the recipe name is cute for a Christmas cookie!).  They turned out to be a big hit, and so they have become a new Christmas tradition at our house.  I brought a bowl full of these to a church party once, and the kids really liked them.  Up here in the frozen north, we often have friends and neighbors over for cards or board games in the evenings, and these little cookies make a good 'munchie'.   A bag full of these in the car is a good munchie, too, for winter travel.   This recipe is easy and the only putzy part is getting everything on the baking sheet.  (Here's where little kids can help you!)  I like to put little bowls or cups of these on the table when we play cards or Scrabble.  They are buttery, crisp, and not too sweet.  Theoretically they make about 256 little cookie bits, but I usually only get about 180 pieces, because I cut them into slightly larger than the 1/2 inch pieces called for in the recipe.   Give them a try for a fun little snack!

ELF BITES

1/2 c. (1 stick) of butter - use ONLY butter

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1 1/4 c. flour 

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp. multi-colored nonpareils

Cream the butter, sugar, salt and almond extract.   Add the flour.  (You might just use your hands at this point).   Work in the nonpareils into the dough with your hands.  Line an 8 inch square pan with wax paper, and pat the dough into the pan and refrigerate until firm.  (usually a couple hours)  Lift out the dough using the wax paper and with a sharp knife on a board, cut into 1/2 slices and then into 1/2 inch squares.  Place on an un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 -17 min in a 325 oven, until the bottoms just begin to look a little brown.   Don't overbake these.   Let them sit on the cookie sheet until they are cool enough to put into whatever container you wish. 

Pat the dough into a wax paper lined 8 in square pan.

The little Elf Bites ready for baking

 

A cup of tasty little Elf Bites!