“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.“
Norman Vincent Peale
Hi there,
Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Robbie Cheadle, https://writingtoberead.com, is a South African children’s author and poet with eleven children’s books and two poetry books.
The eight Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and her son, Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions that children can make under adult supervision.
In addition to being a fabulous writer, Robbie is an amazing cook. She has always generously donated recipes for my collaborations. You may remember this spectacular Hummingbird Cake recipe: https://newclassicrecipe.com/2022/05/10/hummingbird-cake-a-very-special-birthday-cake-for-a-very-special-mother/. What follows is Robbie’s recipe for two shortbreads.
A little bit of Christmas shortbread
My mother is a big fan of shortbread and always asks me to make it for Christmas. I use my basis shortbread recipe and add different additional ingredients to create different taste experiences while keeping the basis shortbread texture. Shortbreads last for longer than most other biscuits, which makes it a great treat for mom who likes to eke out her biscuits for a few weeks of teatime treats.
This year, I decided to make shortbread as my Christmas treat for my work colleagues. I made two different batches: orange and chocolate shortbread and lemon shortbread. Both variants were delicious and were received with great enthusiasm.
The ingredients for these two types of shortbread are a bit different, but the method is the same so I only include it once.
Recipe
Ingredients for orange and chocolate shortbread
575 grams plain cake flour
220 ml castor (superfine or baker’s) sugar
360 ml corn flour
1 kg melted butter
50 grams orange zest
250 grams 70% cocoa chocolate drops
Ingredients for lemon shortbread
600 grams plain cake flour
Zest of two large lemons
220 castor (superfine or baker’s) sugar
360 ml corn flour
1 kg melted butter
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Combine the cake flour, corn flour, castor sugar, and lemon zest or orange zest and chocolate drops in a bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave and allow to cool. Pour the molten butter into a well in the dry ingredients and mix using your hands, until a soft dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a prepared shortbread or other baking tin with sides. Using your hands press it into the tin until it is evenly layered. Using a fork, prick the shortbread in rows down the length of the dough. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown on top. Allow to cool slightly, sprinkle with icing sugar and cut into 30 squares using a sharp knife.
Chocolate houses
Michael also helped me assemble three chocolate houses as gifts for various people, including his doctor. Michael has been quite ill, and his wonderful ear, nose and throat specialist has gone to great lengths to research his particular condition and find a workable solution for us.
These are pictures of the three houses we made:
Thank you, Bernadette, for featuring Michael and I and our Christmas baking and chocolate house creating on your lovely blog.
I want to thank Robbie for sharing her recipes and her creativity on my blog. With Michael having been sick, it has been a very busy few months for her. I encourage you to find out more about Robbie at https://writingtoberead. Robbie’s books can be found on Amazon and make wonderful Christmas presents.
35 responses to “ROBBIE AND MICHAEL’S CHRISTMAS TRADITION”
I love the sound of both shortbread cookie recipes. My hubby enjoys shortbread too. Thanks, Robbie and Bernadette!
Hi Darlene, my mother loves shortbread so I’m always experimenting with variations of this biscuit. I’m glad you enjoyed.
It is wonderful to learn of the Christmas traditions of others. So inspiring. Robbie and Michael are setting a beautiful standard for families all over the world.
Hi Annette, thanks for visiting. Michael and I are delighted you enjoyed our recipes for shortbread.
There’s nothing better than homemade shortbread and these both sound delicious! Thank you for sharing Robbie’s recipe
Thank you, Jenna
We are fans of shortbread cookies. Orange and chocolate both sound and look fabulous!
I have never eaten chocolate shortbread and now can’t wait to taste it. Thanks Angie.
Hi Angie, the orange and chocolate shortbread is rich and decadent, perfect for Christmas time.
This is the cutest thing ever! LOVE shortbread, so it’s double good!
You should see what she has done with her Sir Chocolate series of books.
Thank you, Dorothy. We also love shortbread and I have more today for the engine of my gingerbread train.
Robbie does it again. I love shortbread and the stores seem to be out of it (and so much more). Yum to you, Robbie and Bernadette!
Hi Jacqui, the best thing about shortbread is it’s so easy to make. Even if you don’t bake much, it is difficult to go wrong with these recipes.
Thank you Jacqui. Robbie sure does hit a lot of home runs.
Hi Bernadette, this is a beautiful post. Thank you for hosting Michael and I today, we appreciate it.
It is always a pleasure to work with you, Robbie.
I love a good recipe with a heartfelt story to go with it!
Thank you
Fun post! Of all cookies, I think I love buttery shortbread the best. And those little chocolate candy houses are adorable!!!
Thank you, Terrie
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The lemon shortbread in particular appeals to me today. The little chocolate house is adorable. It would be nice to vacation in.
Your comment reminds me of the Prince in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory who asked Willy Wonka to build him a palace made from chocolate.
😀
I love shortbread and remember my Grandmother making it at Christmas. I haven’t had any homemade since she passed but went to Scotland in 2018 and my grandmother’s cousin is a very famous baker and distributes his shortbread all over the country. It is delicious too.
Hi John, Scotland has wonderful shortbread, we bought lots as gifts when we visited. How nice to have a famous baker in your family 💗
I hope Michael is well enough to enjoy Christmas. Give him a big hug from Downunder. Love the Lemon Shortbread recipe too. Not going crazy with xmas baking this year but I am very tempted by the shortbread. Thanks for the recipe.
Have a safe and happy Christmas everyone!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our post and comment. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I can’t remember the last time I had a shortbread cookie, but these look delicious, Robbie! And the gingerbread house is adorable.
I love Robbie’s blog, her recipes, her wonderful creations, literary and sweet. It is great to see her recipes of shortbread and her and Michael’s gingerbread houses. I am sure all the recipients have been delighted with them.
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Cookies and cakes and gingerbread houses all make the holidays that much richer – in all sweet ways. Happy holidays to you Bernadette, and to all the wonderful writers and their traditions you have shared here. <3
Thanks so much Pam. I hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Yes, good holiday, now on to the New Year! Hip Hip and here’s to more good cooking. xo