TEABAG SHORTBREAD COOKIES

What is more perfect for a tea party themed bridal shower than teabag shaped cookies! I'll tell you what, nothing! They are the perfect extra touch that just makes you want to swoon.

I had been searching Pinterest for inspiration for desserts for my friend Olivia's bridal shower and I came across this pin. I thought, "that's perfect!" But when I clicked on the link, however, I discovered the site to be in a different language. I find it very frustrating sometimes to be an American, where English is practically the only language we're taught. I mean, yes I learned Spanish some in elementary school and then again in high school, and I also tried to teach myself Irish/Gaelic, but the only thing I have retained from that is "Puedo ir al baño?", which could be useful if I ever need to find a bathroom when I'm in a Spanish speaking country... Or does that mean "can I go?" Uhhh, yah, never mind, I know nothing actually. But most non-English speaking countries learn their native language as well as English, or another language. So frustrating!

Ok, I'm over it. For now. Although I plan on teaching myself French sometime. I can say "This apple is red," "La pomme est rouge." However, that's not a very useful phrase... And it's probably not right either. I try!

Aaannywaay. What does this have to do with teabag shaped cookies? Everything! Nothing, actually. I got on a rabbit trail, but we're back people! And it's great to be back! Because we are going to make cookies. Really really cute cookies.

Teabag Shortbread Cookies, makes 30 cookies (depending on how big or small you cut the shapes)
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewarts Baking Handbook (one of my favorite cookbooks ever!!)

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons confectioner's sugar*
1 bar of your favorite chocolate, melted (Dark, milk, white, flavored, whatever you want! Be creative!)
bakers twine
teabag tag template (I found this one on Pinterest, but if you're creative you could always make one!)

*I know that's a weird amount, but I halved the recipe because it would make waaaaay too many cookies ;) )

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a couple sheet pans with parchment paper. Set aside.

Whisk together flour and salt in a small bowl; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until fluffy on medium speed, 3 to 4 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar; continue to beat until very light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add flour mixture, and beat on low speed, scraping down sides occasionally, until just incorporated. (It should have the consistency of soft cookie dough.)

Flour a clean surface of your counter and place the dough on it. Put more flour on the dough to keep it from sticking and also make sure to flour your hands and your rolling pin. Start to roll out the dough into a rectangle shape about 1/4 inch thick. If the dough starts to stick to the pin or pull up or tear, put more flour on both the dough and the rolling pin.

Once the dough is all rolled out take a ruler and use it to cut straight lines the same size as a teabag. (Or you could just do what I did and eye ball it, but you will most likely end up with teabag cookies of varying sizes...) When it comes to cutting the angles at the top of the cookie, I just laid a teabag on the cookie and cut along the lines to keep them all relatively the same shape.

Transfer the cookies onto the baking sheets with a 1/2 inch space between each one. To get the holes in the cookies use an object that has a small opening such as a pastry bag tip with a round opening. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown, rotating the pans half way through for even baking. As soon as you pull the cookies out of the oven, take a toothpick and wiggle it around in the holes to open them up again since they probably will have closed up or almost closed up in the oven.

Cut your twine to the desired length and gently tie them to the cookies. Print off the tag template you are using and cut them out. I stapled them to the ends of the string, but you could glue them if you don't like the look of the staples showing.

Serve them with tea for friends or a party and be prepared for all the praise your going to get for being so cute and creative! (Obviously this isn't your main reason for making the cookies, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it :) )

These cookies are best eaten the day they are made, but they can last anywhere from 3-5 days, however none of them lasted that long for me, and I doubt they will for you either. Enjoy!!!!

xo Morgan