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Shrewsbury Cakes

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Studded with dried cherries and bright lemon flavor, this 17th Century shortbread-like cookie can be easily adapted with a wide variety of flavors to suit your tastes. George Washington is believed to have fancied a Shrewsbury Cake back in his day!

Adapted from Shrewsbury Cakes recipe in Presidential Cookies by Bev Young (2003). 

  • Author: Erin Thomas
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 12-15 Minutes
  • Total Time: 35-40 Minutes + 1 Hour Chill Time
  • Yield: 14-18 Cookies (Golfball or Walnut Sized) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla*

1/2 tsp. salt (kosher, table or sea)

1 large egg, at room temperature and beaten

2 tbsp. milk (whole or 2%)

2–1/2 cup cake flour, sifted

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg*

1 tsp. fresh lemon zest*

1 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped**

Instructions

Using a hand-held or standing mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Scrape own the sides and bottom of the bowl often.  Add vanilla, salt, egg, and milk.  Blend well.  Stir in flour and nutmeg until just incorporated.  Mix in cherries and lemon zest until evenly combine.  Be careful to not over mix the dough.   Wrap dough in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate the dough for about an hour or until firm.

As dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or grease.  Set aside.

If using chopped dried fruit, portion dough into golf ball or walnut sized balls.  Place dough balls about 2-inches apart on baking sheets.  Press down gently with a flat bottomed glass dipped in granulated sugar.  Dough can also be rolled out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4-inch.  Cut out with cookie cutters of your choice.  Space 2-inches apart on baking sheets.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

*Spices and extracts used to flavor Shrewsbury Cakes vary.  Some options you can try are:

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tbsp. caraway or anise seeds

1 tsp. orange zest

1/2 to 1 tsp. rosewater

**Dried cherries can be substituted with equal amounts of other dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, blueberries, currants or raisins.

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