Description

These buttery cashew shortbread cookies feature the deep, toffee-like flavor of browned butter paired with the rich crunch of roasted cashews. This simple yet elegant Southern-inspired recipe creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat that is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Land O Lakes Butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups powdered sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped roasted cashews
2 tablespoons half & half
36 whole roasted cashew halves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat for 7-11 minutes, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown and fragrant; remove from heat immediately.
Pour 1 1/4 cups of the browned butter into one bowl and the remaining portion into a smaller bowl; refrigerate for 1 hour until solid.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare ungreased cookie sheets.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the 1 1/4 cups of solid browned butter with the brown sugar, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the flour on low speed until just combined, then gently fold in the finely chopped cashews by hand.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until the cookies are set but not overly browned; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat the reserved browned butter with 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and enough half & half to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Spread a generous layer of frosting onto each cooled cookie and garnish the center with a whole cashew half.

Notes

To achieve the best results, ensure the browned butter has completely solidified in the refrigerator before you begin creaming it with the sugars; if the butter is too soft, the cookies may spread too much. Additionally, avoid over-working the dough after adding the flour to maintain that signature delicate and crumbly shortbread texture.

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 mins
Cook Time: 13 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American