Shortbread is one of my favorite cookies to make and one of the most popular that I gift friends with. Rich, but not overly sweet, and as long as you keep them in a cool place (so the butter doesn't turn), they can stay good for weeks and weeks. I use the recipe from the Fannie Farmer baking book and my food processor. 2 sticks butter (1 cup) 2/3 c powdered sugar 1 t vanilla 2 c flour 1/4 t salt Process the butter, sugar and vanilla until it's smooth and then add the flour and salt. Process again until mixed. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch, and then cut into whatever shapes you favor. Place the cookies an inch apart on ungreased (yay!) cookie sheets and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. You want them to barely color around the edges, not go brown at all. Cool them on a rack. Now, for my additions/alterations to the recipe... I like to brush the cookies with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven...heck, I'm eating shortbread anyway, and that extra splash of butter flavor is so wickedly good. Also, I get creative with my shortbread. It's a wonderfully flexible cookie, a good base for all kinds of flavorful additions. I toast pecans, process them into crumbs and knead them into the dough. Grate Meyer lemon zest into the dough, and add some juice to the melted butter wash. Crushed candy canes are a fun Christmas time addition (be judicious with these, as too much can make the cookies stick to the sheet). A good quality cocoa powder makes for chocolate shortbread. Finely minced dried fruits (cranberry or apricot are my favorites). Toasted coconut...put some of the sweetened coconut you get in the baking section of the grocery store into a heavy fry pan over a med-high heat and stir it 'round until it starts browning and the aroma rises wonderfully. Then mince it and work it into the dough. Gosh, I haven't made shortbread cookies for a while, and have been wondering what to make as little gifts for my clients...I think I've just decided!

Here's the recipe I had: Pull Apart Bacon Bread Time 15-20 minutes Serves 8 Ingredients 12 slices of Bacon, diced 1 (1 lb) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed 2 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil, divided 1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 (1 oz) envelope Ranch salad dressing mix How to make it In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes or until partially cooked. Drain on paper towels. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thickness and brush with 1 tablespoon oil. Cut into 1 -inch pieces; place in a large bowl. Add the bacon, cheese, dressing mix and remaining oil. Toss to coat. Arrange pieces in a 9 x5 inch square on a greased baking sheet, layering as needed. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cover with foil and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until golden brown. *** Sharon, my sincerest condolences on your loss.

This is when they first became friends, in the fourth grade. Tracie is behind the Hall Kent sign in the white jumpsuit, looks like, and my son Parke is the chubby one in the white and blue baseball shirt next to the teacher in the blue suit. They both are now 49.

So glad everyone enjoyed it! I just love it cause of the buttery taste and the chewy texture with the crisp edges. Thanks! :o)