Recipe: Apple Spice Shortbread Cookies (using apple butter and pumpkin pie spice)

APPLE SPICE SHORTBREAD COOKIES
"Rich and buttery, these cookies are perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee!"



1 cup butter, softened (no substitutions)
1/4 cup apple butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2-1/4 teaspoons Spice Islands Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 cups flour
1/4 cup Argo Corn Starch

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Mix butter, apple butter, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice thoroughly using an electric mixer. Gradually blend in flour and corn starch.

Form into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets. Gently press down on each cookie to flatten using fingers or a flat bottomed drinking glass (dipped in sugar to prevent sticking).

Bake at 300 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bottoms begin to brown. Cool for 5 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

VARIATION:

EUROPEAN-STYLE SHORTBREAD (pictured):
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pat into a 1/3-inch thick rectangle measuring 11x8-inches. Cut into 2x1-inch strips. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick with a fork. Bake as above.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies
Source: Spice Islands, ACH Food Companies, Inc.