Today, I’m going to show you how to make Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread, a classic British treat that is easy to whip up and perfect for any occasion. Whether you want to enjoy it with a cup of tea, gift it to a friend, or store it for later, this recipe will make you fall in love with shortbread all over again.
What is chocolate chip shortbread?
Chocolate chip shortbread is a type of cookie that consists of a buttery biscuit base topped with chocolate chips. It’s similar to the American version of chocolate chip cookies but with a crispier texture and a richer flavor. The name comes from the fact that the cookies are usually cut into rounds or squares, resembling small pieces of chocolate.
What is Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread?
Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread is a type of cookie that consists of a buttery biscuit base topped with chocolate chips. It’s similar to the American version of chocolate chip cookies but with a crispier texture and a richer flavor. The name comes from the fact that the cookies are usually cut into rounds or squares, resembling small pieces of chocolate.
Why You Love this Recipe
Here are some reasons why you might love this recipe:
- It’s easy to make and requires only four basic ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips.
- It’s versatile and can be customized with different types of flour, chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, or spices.
- It’s delicious and melts in your mouth with every bite.
- It’s perfect for any occasion and can be enjoyed with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk.
- It’s great for sharing with your family and friends because it’s easy to make ahead and store well.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread
You will need the following ingredients:
- 200g of cold salted butter
- 100g of caster sugar, plus some extra for sprinkling
- 300g of plain flour
- 1 egg yolk
- 100g of chocolate chips
Useful Equipment
- A large bowl
- A wooden spoon or a spatula
- A rolling pin
- A round cookie cutter or any other shape you like
- Two baking sheets
- Baking parchment
- A wire rack
How to make Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread?
Making Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread is not difficult at all. You just need to follow these easy steps:
How long does Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread last?
Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread can last for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature or up to three months in the freezer if you wrap them well individually before freezing them.
You can also freeze them whole or cut into smaller pieces if you prefer.
To thaw them, simply leave them at room temperature for about an hour or microwave them for 10-15 seconds until soft.
What are some variations of Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread?
If you want to try something different with your chocolate chip shortbread, here are some ideas:
- You can use different types of flour such as wholemeal, spelt, or oatmeal for more fiber and nutrition.
- You can use different types of chocolate such as white, dark, milk, or even vegan ones for more variety.
- You can add other ingredients such as nuts, dried fruits, coconut flakes, or spices for more flavor and texture.
- You can decorate them with icing sugar glaze, sprinkles, nuts, or fresh fruits for more fun and presentation.
What Do I Serve With Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread?
You can serve Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread with any kind of drink or dessert that you like.
Some suggestions are:
- A glass of milk or cream to go with the cookies.
- A cup of hot chocolate or latte to warm you up on a cold day.
- A slice of cake or pie to balance out the sweetness of the cookies.
- A scoop of ice cream or yogurt to add some creaminess to the cookies.
- A fruit salad or compote to add some freshness and color to the cookies.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Here are some tips that will help you make perfect Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread:
- Use cold salted butter for better flavor and texture. Rub it well until it becomes pale and fluffy.
- Use caster sugar for a finer texture and more sweetness. You can also use granulated sugar if you prefer.
- Use plain flour for a lighter texture and a more gluten-free option. You can also use wholemeal flour for more fiber and nutrition.
- Use milk or dark chocolate chips for more richness and variety. You can also use white chocolate chips if you like.
- Roll out the dough thinly but not too thin. You want it to be crisp but not hard.
- Cut out the rounds using a sharp knife or cookie cutter. You can also use any shape you like such as stars, hearts, or letters.
- Sprinkle some extra sugar on top if you like. This will add some crunch and sparkle to the cookies.
How do I store Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread?
You can store Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. Here are some tips on how to store them properly:
- Wrap each cookie individually in baking parchment before freezing them. This will prevent them from sticking together and make them easier to thaw later.
- Label each container with the date of making so you know how long they have been stored.
- Thaw them at room temperature for about an hour before serving them. This will make them soft and moist without losing their shape.
How do I reheat Mary Berry Chocolate Chip Shortbread?
You can reheat Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread in different ways depending on your preference.
Here are some options:
- Microwave: Place one or two cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 10-15 seconds until soft. Be careful not to overheat them as they might burn easily.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 and place one or two cookies on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment. Bake them for 5 minutes until warm but not melted.
- Toaster: Place one or two cookies on a toaster tray lined with paper towels and toast them until warm but not melted.
Nutrition value list:
One serving of Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread (about 2 cookies) has the following nutritional value:
Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein |
---|---|---|---|---|
249 | 14 g | 27 g | 10 g | 3 g |
FAQs
What is the difference between Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread and other types of shortbread?
Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread is a type of cookie that consists of a buttery biscuit base topped with chocolate chips. It’s similar to the American version of chocolate chip cookies but with a crispier texture and a richer flavor. Other types of shortbread may use different ingredients such as cornflour, semolina, or nuts, or have different shapes or decorations.
How do I make Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread without an oven?
You can make Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread without an oven by using a microwave or a toaster. To microwave, place one or two cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 10-15 seconds until soft. To toast, place one or two cookies on a toaster tray lined with paper towels and toast them until warm but not melted.
How do I store Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread for longer than a week?
You can store Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread for longer than a week by freezing them. Wrap each cookie individually in baking parchment before freezing them. This will prevent them from sticking together and make them easier to thaw later. You can also freeze them whole or cut them into smaller pieces if you prefer.
How do I reheat Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread without making it hard?
A: You can reheat Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread without making it hard by using the oven, the microwave, or the toaster. To oven, preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 and place one or two cookies on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment. Bake them for 5 minutes until warm but not melted. To microwave, place one or two cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them for 10-15 seconds until soft. To toaster, place one or two cookies on a toaster tray lined with paper towels and toast them until warm but not melted.
Final Words
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Mary Berry’s chocolate chip shortbread and learned something new along the way. This is one of my favorite cookies because they are simple yet delicious and versatile enough to suit any occasion.
They are also great for sharing with your family and friends because they are easy to make ahead and store well.
So what are you waiting for?
Grab your ingredients and start baking!
And don’t forget to let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
Happy baking!