Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Fig and Feta Shortbread Cookies

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I’ve begun holiday baking experimentation in earnest this week.  

My Whole Foods bill was borderline embarrassing.

This is particularly good:

If you can guess what it is, I’ll save you some. 😉

Today I’m sharing a shortbread recipe adapted from my Rosemary Shortbread Cookies.  I reduced it a bit for self-control experimentation purposes, but you can easily double it.

Sweet and salty is my favorite combination.  I wanted to create a cookie that would satiate that craving in a unique way.

It was my first time working with dried Black Mission Figs and it won’t be my last!  Dried figs are a great option when you need to control the moisture in a recipe, or when figs are no longer in season.

Their sweetness paired with a salty feta cheese was a wonderful combo.  Be sure to use a high quality feta from the cheese counter – none of that pre-crumbled stuff sold next to the plastic-wrapped slices.

The cookie itself is made more savory with the use of whole wheat flour, almost reminiscent of a biscuit.  However, you can use all white flour for a sweeter, more smooth “cookie” feel.

One of my favorite parts about this cookie is that you can make the batter, roll it up, and keep it in the freezer until you are ready to bake the cookies off.  Perfect for a holiday party take-along!

Last week I had some awesome workouts.  Too bad I had some not-so-awesome over-indulgence this weekend.  This week I will be better!  Focusing on the positive, I’m back in the saddle with running.  PT has helped a lot and I managed to run pain-free again!!!

Workout Recap (11/8-11/13)

  • Monday – 5 mile run, Shoulders/Glutes, 6 min plank sequence
  • Tuesday – P90X Biceps/Back, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups 
  • Wednesday – 5 mile run, 100 push-ups
  • Thursday – 30 min core class, Body Pump, 100 Workout
  • Friday – 45 min full-body workout with trainer, 20 mins Stairmaster, 100 push-ups
  • Saturday – 13 mile run, 100 push-ups
  • Sunday – 15 min stationary bike, Triceps/Chest, 30 mins elliptical intervals, 6 min plank sequence

Fig & Feta Shortbread Cookies

by Laura Hall

Prep Time: 15 mins

Keywords: bake dessert fig feta cheese cookie spring

Ingredients (16 cookies)

  • 3/4 C all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 C whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • shake of salt
  • 1/4 C salted butter, softened
  • 2 T extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp light agave nectar
  • 1/4 C confectioners (powdered) sugar
  • 1/3 C dried black mission figs, diced
  • 3-4 T feta, crumbled

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, salt, and baking powder.

In a large bowl using an electric mixer (I used a hand-held), mix together butter, olive oil, agave, and confectioners sugar at a low speed. Gradually add flour mixture and mix until dough produces small butter lumps.

Fold in figs and feta.

Using your hands, make a ball with the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. (Lightly flour your hand to make this easier!) Knead dough until it just comes together (3-4 times). Roll into a log (like the cut and bake cookie dough) and cover in parchment paper. Refrigerate 1-2 hours or freeze 30 mins, until hardened.*

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Remove from fridge and cut into small (~1/3 in thick) disks, arranging on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake shortbread until golden, ~17-18 mins.

*Note: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store them in the freezer post-rollup to have on-hand for a quick, fresh cookie treat.

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My office holiday party is this week.  I’m excited to share the latest creations with co-workers!

Does your place of business have a potluck party or a formal affair?  Or both?

What is your favorite thing to take to a holiday party?

Comments

  6. These are extremely creative and pretty. I really love the daring combination. I went to the most amazing Whole Foods yesterday on my way home from the lake house (Charlotsville, VA). I felt like I was in a wonderland of food. le sigh. I wish we had a store like that in Baltimore.

  7. Yum! These cookies/biscuits sound delicious. I LOVE how bold you are and adding in some feta. Also love the whole wheat for an extra sumpin sumpin. I’m gonna bookmark this for later use 🙂

  16. What a creative idea!:) It sounds so easy and convenient to make, but I think it requires serious skills and talents like yours too 😀
    I am sure your co-workers would love it, I know I would 🙂

  19. These look great! I love that you added the feta cheese to make it a sweet n’ salty cookie, great idea! I’ve never tried feta cheese in a cookie before but it looks wonderful and I think it makes an awesome combination, especially with the figs!

  22. Oh My! What a fantastic sounding cookie that I’m for sure gonna give a try. I adore feta and figs and you’ve used them in a shortbread cookie…love it! I’m looking for the print button…

    Thanks for sharing, these sound lovely! 😉

    • Thank you for stopping by and commenting! Do let me know if you try them – I love hearing others’ interpretations. 🙂

  25. Goodness…what an unusual combination of flavors for a cookie! I am so excited to try these as shortbread is my all-time favorite cookie and figs are a new love of mine. Thank you for a great new flavor combination and recipe!

  26. What a unique shortbread! I’m going to be making cookies with my niece in a couple of weeks and I do believe I’ll be taking this recipe and ingredients. They look delicious!

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