Home · Recipes Parmesan Shortbread Author: Maryanne CabreraPublished: Mar 19, 2012Updated: Nov 13, 2023 View Recipe8 ReviewsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy. Rich butter and sharp cheese mixed with hints of caraway and sea salt. These savory parmesan shortbread cookies are a delightful treat alongside coffee or tea. Savory Shortbread Shortbread is traditionally sweet. It is usually made from a simple combination of 1 part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour. From there, you can customize adding flavors to your preference. How about rose water shortbread or black sesame shortbread? And for something very out of the ordinary, try savory parmesan shortbread! Parmesan Cookie Ingredients The base ingredients needed for this recipe include the following: butterconfectioners’ sugar (aka powdered sugar)kosher salt & black pepperall-purpose flourgrated parmesan cheeseolive oil (for brushing tops) From there, you can add additional flavors to your liking. Use a mixture of different hard cheeses in place of parmesan. A blend of parmesan, romano, and asiago is wonderful!)Recipe calls for caraway seeds, however, fennel, cumin, or dill are great substitutes)Maldon sea salt flakes are my go-to. Other equally delicious salt variations include: black lava sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, or delicate fleur de sal (sea salt). No Special Tools Necessary Shortbread is super simple and easy to make. Best of all, no special tools such as cookie cutters are necessary. Simply roll out the dough and use a knife to slice the dough into rectangles or squares. Brush the tops of shortbread with olive oil. Alternatively, you may use melted butter or other cooking oil of your choice. Sprinkle caraway seeds and sea salt flakes all over. Bake for about 20 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Serve these parmesan shortbread cookies warm or at room temperature. This an adapted recipe inspired from Blue Bottle Coffee. My local Blue Bottle serves delicious pastries and inventive snacks. Typical coffee shop fare include scones, muffins, and cookies. But, Blue Bottle often has these amazing parmesan shortbread. It sounds like an unusual combination, but this savory shortbread pairs wonderfully with iced coffee! Parmesan Shortbread with Caraway and Sea Salt Rich butter and sharp cheese mixed with hints of caraway and sea salt. These savory parmesan shortbread cookies are a delightful treat alongside coffee or tea. Yield: makes 15- 1 ½ x 3" rectangles Servings: 6 Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Ingredients½ cup unsalted butter, softened, room temp¼ cup confectioners’ sugar¼ teaspoon ground black pepper½ teaspoon kosher salt1 cup all-purpose flour½ cup Parmesan cheese (or parmesan, romano, asiago cheese blend)½ Tablespoon caraway seeds½ teaspoon sea salt flakes or coarse sea salt1 Tablespoon olive oil Instructions In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar, black pepper and salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl.Add flour and cheese. Mix on low until dough just comes together.Wrap dough in plastic wrap and flatten into a rectangle. Refrigerate until firm, about two hours.In a small bowl, mix caraway seeds and sea salt. Set aside.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paperRoll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a 5×4-inch rectangle about 1/4” thick. Cut into 1 1/2×3” rectangles, or stamp out desired shapes with cookie cutter.Arrange cut out cookies on prepared baking sheet. Brush cookies with olive oil, then sprinkle with caraway salt mixture.Bake for 20 minutes, rotating sheet tray halfway through, until cookies are golden brown. Let cool on sheet tray for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Notes recipe adapted from Bon Appetit March 2012 Author: Maryanne Cabrera Course: Appetizer, SnackCuisine: AmericanKeyword: savory shortbread, parmesan shortbread, parmesan cookies Did you make this recipe?Show us on Instagram! Tag @littleepicurean and hashtag #littleepicurean.
Anita at Hungry Couple says: March 19, 2012 Hmm. I’m all for cheesy crackers but Parm AND sugar? I can’t picture what these taste like, exactly. But I’d be willing to try one (or a dozen) to see what I thought :) Reply
the little epicurean says: March 25, 2012 I was bit weary of cheese and sugar, but I’m sold and I think its delicious!
Courtney J says: March 21, 2012 Beautiful :) These would definitely cure my salty treat cravings! Reply