My husband took over in the kitchen this morning, finishing the last batches of Irish Shortbread and the M & M Cookies. He did an excellent job, especially with the shortbread. His are perfectly shaped and a bit thicker than mine, and he also added the exact amount of sugar so people could experience the treat as it’s meant to be. As my husband mixed the ingredients for the shortbread, he softened the butter slightly in a bowl over a pot of boiling water. This seemed to make all the difference in handling and assembling the shortbread dough; in other words much simpler. 

 

All of these goodies are to be given away as small gifts. For the shortbread, I printed off little holiday recipe cards which I will fold in half and attach to the present, the recipients name written on the blank side. The other day I purchased decorative tie-wrap bows, which are miniature in size and perfect for securing the colored tissue wrapped around the shortbread.

 

The M & M cookies will be wrapped similarly, with most of that bounty going to my husband’s co-workers and a few of my friends and family.