Lemon Scented 'Canada Cornstarch' Shortbread Cookies

 

Christmastime means many different things to people. For some it is a religious holiday, a time to celebrate Christianity, and indeed, the spirit of Christmas. For others, its a winter holiday, a time to celebrate with family and friends, to revel in the season for giving and for its cheer and happiness.

Preparations for Christmas start early. The stores have their lights on and their goodies early. Halloween is no sooner done, than the Christmas decorations come out. Everyone puts up their trees and houses are beautiful with twinkling lights and sparkling reindeer (I even saw a moose this year, yay!) In our family we do things a little differently. We have two birthdays to celebrate first, and so in order to make sure everyone gets their moment in the lights, we start our Christmas preparations after the second birthday is done. Our tree and lights go up a little later, and (by this time, poor, broke me) starts thinking about Christmas presents. I don't bake all that much, to be honest, simply because its just the three of us and I don't love all that sugar floating around :)  Plus we have lovely friends that always bring us Christmas goodies.

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Grandma's 'Canada Cornstarch' Shortbread Cookies

Well, its been an eventful year for sure!

Last December, we decided to make a giant life change and move to Canada. The decision was partly influenced by Kay's desire to move closer to his parents, and partly due to the fact we wanted to finally settle and put down roots in one place. It meant that we had to give up a wonderful life in the Wirral and take a big step into the unknown. It meant leaving behind friends we've made over the years, the snug routine we fell into, and my wonderful job that I loved! But, it was a decision we made together, and while there have been some regrets, on the whole I do feel it was one of the better decisions of our life together.

But, before we left I wanted a big trip to India first, to catch up with my family and friends there. So January saw me travelling all over India and meeting up with my lovely friends and spending quality time with my family, including my grandmothers.
Come February, we were in Edmonton in Canada. It was a shock to the system! From balmy tropical weather, to -15 to -35 days... but I survived with the help of a giant big winter coat and a cute new cat.

And then winter turned to spring and we stepped up our house hunt! We finally settled on a small, but open plan house, and it was such a treat to finally have our first house together as a family! First houses are always special, and for me, this one certainly is.
We spent the summer travelling back and forth from Terrace, visiting the in-laws and more importantly, stocking up on fresh fish and cherries for the winter ;-) And come winter, I now snuggle up happily by our wood stove in the basement, sipping on creamy hot chocolate, reading to a happy, sleepy little girl with a cat cuddled at my feet. Can life get better than this?

So, to celebrate my first Christmas in Canada in my own house, I leave you with this recipe for shortbread biscuits, that my dear MIL got from the back of the Canada Cornstarch box. These biscuits, I have since learnt, have gone down as a classic tradition for Christmas and after having tasted them I can see why!




Recipe:
(Printable Recipe)

½ cup Canada Corn Starch (other brands or bulk will work as well)
½ cup icing sugar
1 cup sifted plain flour
¾ cup butter

Method:

Sift cornstarch, flour, icing sugar together. Using either your fingers or two forks, mix in the butter, until a soft dough is formed.

Shape into 1 inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Flatten with a lightly floured fork.

Bake the cookies at 300 F/ 150 C for 15 - 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. These will be soft when they come out, so make sure you let them cool before you take them off the cookie sheet.

You can decorate them with bits of candied fruit or nuts, before baking. Alternately roll out fairly thick and cut into shapes.

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