The Loch Ness Monster, commonly referred to as Nessie is well known throughout the world. The legend of Nessie’s existence dates back almost 1500 years ago. But, it is on May 2, 1933 that the legend takes on a life of its own. A sighting is reported by a local Scottish Highland couple. The story, reported in the Inverness Courier, is picked up by London papers and, as we say today, it went viral.
Those who study the history of the Loch Ness Monster find many references to Nessie that date back to 500 AD. Stones in the area of Loch Ness, the largest body of fresh water in Great Britain, reveal carvings, possibly made by the Picts, of a strange water beast. In the 7th century a note made regarding Nessie can be found in the biography of Saint Columba, who saved a man who was about to be attacked by Nessie.
After the 1933 sighting the legend of Nessie grew. Many believe that Nessie is real. No matter the camp in which you reside, the Loch Ness Monster still captures the imagination of believers and non-believers as alike.
As a nod to our Scottish friend, Nessie, we offer a brief history of and a recipe for shortbread cookies. These cookies (or biscuits) date back a medieval bread biscuit that was baked twice, dusted with sugar and spices. The original biscuits used yeast. Eventually butter replaced the yeast. We get the word “shortbread” from the word “shortening. Shortbread cookies were a treat, reserved for the wealthy or special occasion, only. Eventually it became a beloved cookie that is now enjoyed anytime by people all over the world.
Shortbread Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons hot milk
Directions
1. Cream shortening, sugar and vanilla; blend in egg yolk and 1 tablespoon milk.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Gradually mix flour mixture into creamed mixture.
4. Divide dough in half; to one half, add chocolate and 1 tablespoon milk. Blend well.
5. Form the dough into discs, wrap in plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least 1 ½ hours.
6. On waxed paper or parchment paper, roll each half of dough into 10x12 inch rectangle. Brush chocolate layer with hot milk; place plain layer on top of chocolate layer.
7. Roll, lengthwise, as you would for jelly roll.
8. Wrap roll in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least an hour.
9. When you are getting ready to take bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
10. When dough is finally chilled unwrap and slice into thin rounds.
11. Place cookies on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.
12. Remove from cookie sheet and cool before serving
The Café Sucré Farine
May 2, 2012 at 8:43 pm //
I am such a sucker for any kind of shortbread – thsese look amazing!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:46 am //
What’s wonderful about shortbread is it has minimal ingredients, do you like Walkers?
The Café Sucré Farine
May 2, 2012 at 8:43 pm //
I am such a sucker for any kind of shortbread – thsese look amazing!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:46 am //
What’s wonderful about shortbread is it has minimal ingredients, do you like Walkers?
Alana
May 3, 2012 at 12:03 am //
Hah such cute inspiration! And your swirls are so neat! I bet your shortbread is crumbly and fabulous, I wish I could try some right now.
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:45 am //
Thank you Alana = )
Alana
May 3, 2012 at 12:03 am //
Hah such cute inspiration! And your swirls are so neat! I bet your shortbread is crumbly and fabulous, I wish I could try some right now.
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:45 am //
Thank you Alana = )
Eric @ Happy Valley Chow
May 3, 2012 at 12:06 am //
These look absolutely delicious and I love the photography. I will definitely have to try this recipe. “Liked” your facebook page, looking forward to sharing with you!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:47 am //
Thank you so much Eric, it’s wonderful to connect, and thank you for liking our Facebook page “wink” = )
Eric @ Happy Valley Chow
May 3, 2012 at 12:06 am //
These look absolutely delicious and I love the photography. I will definitely have to try this recipe. “Liked” your facebook page, looking forward to sharing with you!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:47 am //
Thank you so much Eric, it’s wonderful to connect, and thank you for liking our Facebook page “wink” = )
Anna @ hiddenponies
May 3, 2012 at 12:41 am //
I love the story almost as much as I love shortbread…and that’s a lot :) Your swirls are absolutely perfect!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:45 am //
Oh Anna, you must love “Walkers” then? I do, their whole line, and the ingreidents are so pure as well.
Anna @ hiddenponies
May 3, 2012 at 12:41 am //
I love the story almost as much as I love shortbread…and that’s a lot :) Your swirls are absolutely perfect!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:45 am //
Oh Anna, you must love “Walkers” then? I do, their whole line, and the ingreidents are so pure as well.
Sandra's Easy Cooking
May 3, 2012 at 2:38 am //
Oh those look incredible, and so tasty! Love the idea, recipe and your photo! Just beautiful!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:44 am //
Thank you so much for commenting Sandra!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
May 3, 2012 at 2:38 am //
Oh those look incredible, and so tasty! Love the idea, recipe and your photo! Just beautiful!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:44 am //
Thank you so much for commenting Sandra!
Maggie
May 3, 2012 at 2:45 am //
I love the story about Nessie! Such an interesting story and I still have to wonder if its true or not? :-)
I adore shortbread soo much! And I love this with the chocolate swirls. Yummy!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:43 am //
In our area we have a Theme Park, there is a coaster named The Loch Ness Monster (I think it has three loops) FUN!
Maggie
May 3, 2012 at 2:45 am //
I love the story about Nessie! Such an interesting story and I still have to wonder if its true or not? :-)
I adore shortbread soo much! And I love this with the chocolate swirls. Yummy!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:43 am //
In our area we have a Theme Park, there is a coaster named The Loch Ness Monster (I think it has three loops) FUN!
kitchenriffs
May 3, 2012 at 3:06 am //
Pinwheel cookies are so much fun! Love the way the look, and (usually) the way they taste. This looks like a particular nice version. And love the Nessie story! Thanks for a great post.
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:43 am //
They are so much fun to make, during the holidays when I was a child my mother would do the red and white pinwheel cookies, they had a peppermint taste to them (actually they came out more pink and white).
kitchenriffs
May 3, 2012 at 3:06 am //
Pinwheel cookies are so much fun! Love the way the look, and (usually) the way they taste. This looks like a particular nice version. And love the Nessie story! Thanks for a great post.
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:43 am //
They are so much fun to make, during the holidays when I was a child my mother would do the red and white pinwheel cookies, they had a peppermint taste to them (actually they came out more pink and white).
Emma
May 3, 2012 at 5:59 am //
I’ve never seen pinwheel cookies, they look lovely and such a pretty photo.
I remember the story of the Loch Ness monster from when I was a kid and I always believed it!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:41 am //
Thank you so much Emma = )
Emma
May 3, 2012 at 5:59 am //
I’ve never seen pinwheel cookies, they look lovely and such a pretty photo.
I remember the story of the Loch Ness monster from when I was a kid and I always believed it!
myfudo
May 3, 2012 at 6:41 am //
Thank you so much Emma = )
Eat good 4 life
May 3, 2012 at 11:50 am //
These look really yummy….love the pictures.nice pinwheel effect!!
Eat good 4 life
May 3, 2012 at 11:50 am //
These look really yummy….love the pictures.nice pinwheel effect!!
Baker Street
May 3, 2012 at 12:19 pm //
I can never get pinwheels to be so perfectly done. These look gorgeous.
Baker Street
May 3, 2012 at 12:19 pm //
I can never get pinwheels to be so perfectly done. These look gorgeous.
Zoka
May 4, 2012 at 3:35 pm //
I love yours shortbread cookis and a picture is so beautiful. I could just stare at it all day long. :)
myfudo
May 4, 2012 at 6:40 pm //
Thank you Zoka = )
Zoka
May 4, 2012 at 3:35 pm //
I love yours shortbread cookis and a picture is so beautiful. I could just stare at it all day long. :)
myfudo
May 4, 2012 at 6:40 pm //
Thank you Zoka = )
Deb
May 4, 2012 at 11:49 pm //
An amazing story for an amazing little cookie. Shortbread is so surumptious. It was of interest to me that butter is now used in place of yeast. Now that was a great idea!
Deb
May 4, 2012 at 11:49 pm //
An amazing story for an amazing little cookie. Shortbread is so surumptious. It was of interest to me that butter is now used in place of yeast. Now that was a great idea!
brighteyedbaker
May 10, 2012 at 11:13 am //
The swirls in the shortbread look so pretty, and I love the addition of chocolate! Makes everything better :)
Jhesnaw
August 28, 2012 at 6:25 pm //
she saw so many unexplained wave parttens that it was TRUE that Nessie visited her. She even made up a story, about how Nessie loves kids, and takes them underwater to her special cave where kids can learn all about Loch Ness. Too fun!And Yes, we do have a few Nessie stuffed toys…
Upitnarasyskah
August 29, 2012 at 6:33 am //
before, I think it would be really cool if Nessie does exist, Oh how I wish they would dloeevp manned submarines that could get all the way down on the bottom. I don’t think I would have the guts to go, but I would sure love to see what they would find.