Shortbread Cookie Wedges for a Scottish Picnic

Shortbread Cookie Wedges for a Scottish Picnic. Tender, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth-delicious, shortbread cookies are Scotland's traditional butter cookies. Made with a few basic ingredients, they were the perfect sweet treat with a cup of tea for our Scottish themed picnic along the river.

A Scottish Picnic

On a tepid and overcast day in the middle of a glorious Autumn, we spread our plaid blankets on the bank of the North Saskatchewan river with our blogger friends Margaret and Raymond Kitchenfrau for a Scottish themed picnic.

Packed along with picnic baskets, totes, blankets and folding chairs, our husbands brought their fishing rods and tackle boxes. They sat patiently waiting and finding some time for a good chat, once and in a while looking to see if a fish caught the bait. All the while Margaret and I started to set up for our picnic spread.

The set up

As a matter of fact, for every picnic, Margaret and I are in charge of the set up. Working seamlessly together, it seems like we have a plan for how we want the final look to be. On the contrary, it's only when we finish positioning our accoutrements that we glance back and are amazed at the consistent overall appearance of our picnics. And proudly pat our backs.

For our Scottish themed picnic, we started placing the plaid tablecloth surrounded by folded plaid blankets that will serve as a cushiony seat; we placed the picnic basket in one corner and in front a stack of antique books. They came in handy after lunch, as we relaxed with a cup of tea and a book in hand. We also placed green candles in silver candle holders, a pewter jug filled with fresh flowers -a signature touch of all our picnics-, and slowly took out the bamboo plates, dark green cloth napkins, muted green napkin holders, clear acrylic glasses, and wooden coasters. As we arranged them on the tablecloth, a beautiful scene started to reveal itself.

We also packed a wood board, a couple of thermoses, a silver serving platter with lid, bowls, forks, spoons, and knives. On another corner of the tablecloth we placed a wicker basket that we used to transport our accessories and extra blankets, the metal cups, and the tins with the desserts. Yes, desserts, because one sweet treat is never enough for our picnics.

Our Scottish Picnic Menu

They say everything tastes better when eaten outside. In truth, the crisp autumn air stimulated our appetites and we were so ready to start the libation with a chunk of cheddar, smoked salmon on oatcakes, nibbling on grapes, pear, and pickled onions, while sipping on fresh apple cider.

The main dish were Margaret's fabulous Scotch eggs which we ate with a touch of mustard. They were a thing of crispy beauty and when opened they revealed their creamy yolk center. Just a note on Scotch eggs: after some research, it seems that they did not originate in Scotland but in England. Nonetheless, they are indeed enjoyed throughout Scotland, not to mention all over the world. And enjoyed we did.

Ingredients for the Shortbread Cookie Wedges

• all-purpose flour
• white rice flour
• cane sugar
• unsalted butter, at room temperature
• fine sea salt
• vanilla extract

Shortbread Cookie Wedges

Shortbread cookies are quite easy to make. I used my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to beat the sugar, butter, and salt (if not using salted butter) for a couple of minutes. Then the vanilla is added, and lastly the flour (I used a mix of all-purpose and rice flour). You need to beat only until soft crumbs are obtained, about 3 minutes, then you press the crumbs into a prepared tart pan with a removable bottom.

How to make the wedges

With the tips of a fork prick lines of holes in the dough to create 12 wedges making sure you press enough to reach the bottom of the pan. Then, use your fork around the edges as you were crimping a pie crust.

Lastly, bake the shortbread for about 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, or until the edges are golden brown and the top feels firm to the touch, but still light in color.

After, place the cookie wedges in a tin to store them or to transport them to the picnic site.

It's dessert time

The buttery and crispy shortbread wedges and the delicate and chocolatey whisky oat truffles complimented each other. They were a pleasure to eat, especially accompanied by a mug of hot black tea.

Winters in Alberta can be long and harsh, so we try to take advantage of every possibility to be in the open air. Picnics have been a way for us to enjoy quality time with friends, sharing good food, and recharging ourselves with the beauty of nature.

More picnic ideas

If you like are like us and enjoy the outdoors and the creativity of planning and bringing to life your vision for an outside gathering, here are some of our other picnic ideas:

• Nectarine Tomato Salad and a Fun and Games Picnic
• Egg salad sandwiches for a perfect Afternoon Tea Picnic
• Italian Panini for a late Fall lakeside Picnic
• Spinach Frittata Rolls for a Fall picnic
• Lemon Blueberry Mini Cakes and a Summer Afternoon Tea
• Walnut stuffed Chocolate Dipped Dates and an Afternoon Tea in the Orchard

Lastly, do not forget to check Margaret's story of our lovely Scottish picnic.

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