I often find that I buy nuts or seeds to make something particular and I get left with a few grams of them here and there. That’s where my store cupboard shortbread comes in. This year I am attempting to use up ingredients in my cupboards and I thought I would start by using the last few dregs of cocoa powder and some leftover hazelnuts; I am so glad I did.
Ingredients
Makes 12 pieces of shortbread:
- 175g plain flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50g caster sugar
- 150g butter, softened
- 50g chopped nuts, chocolate or seeds
Method
Grease a loose bottomed tart tin, mine was 20cm. Preheat an oven to 160C.
Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or food mixer and beat together until you get a ball of dough.
Press the dough into the greased tin until it’s nice and even. Prick the top of the dough all over with a fork.
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes and then remove from the oven and mark into portions while it’s still hot.
Leave to cool before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
If I’d had any leftover chocolate (as if, in what kind of world would that happen?) then I would have chopped that up and added it in too. I really like the combination of chocolate, coconut and sesame so I know some sesame seeds or desiccated coconut would work nicely too. I have a feeling my store cupboard shortbread will be making a few appearances this year!
I adore shortbread! These with nuts sound and look fantastic!
Thanks Angie!
Oh, gosh, I have so many bits of leftovers, too. A good excuse to make shortbread! So yummy with the added crunch 🙂
A good excuse indeed, you could use all sorts of other leftovers too.
I need to follow your example, and start cleaning out my cupboard! It’s amazing what you can make with the ingredients you have on hand. Your shortbread looks phenomenal… I love anything that uses good cocoa powder!
I thought it would be best to make something rather than just leaving these lovely ingredients in the cupboards!
What a great idea, Caroline! I, too, have little ends and bits of so many things. But nuts and dried fruits especially! And this shortbread looks so so good!
It would be great to try with some dried fruits!
Nothing better than a good shortbread with afternoon coffee. I’m going to use your idea and see what I have left hanging around in the pantry. I love a good and easy to make treat like this. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you enjoy them, Ron!
Caroline, what a wonderful flavor the addition of chocolate and hazelnuts make to the shortbread! My freezer is loaded with bits of this and that. I’ll have to get in there and see what I can create!
Who knows what you’ll find!
So in love with budget friendly creative meals ! Great one dear ! Thank you !
I often find the same thing, little bits and bobs left over, this is a great way to use them up.