Shoptalk by Sturbridge Yankee Workshop

We have three new additions to our Shortbread Pan selection at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. We love these ceramic baking pans because not only do they make delicious cookies, but they can also make for a fun crafting tool (as we’ll show you below). But first, what is shortbread exactly? Let’s take a closer look.

Shortbread is traditionally a Scottish dessert, but has taken a few different forms throughout history. During Medieval times, shortbread, literally was a short-bread; simple dried bread that when hardened had sugar added. It became widely popular among individuals who could afford luxury and Mary, Queen of Scots saw to it that she made her mark on the recipe too. What was later named “petticoat tails” was her idea of cutting the shortbread into wedges and flavoring them with caraway seeds. For many centuries it was a dessert only reserved for special occasions and the wealthy. In Shetland, an island of Scotland, they still to this day break shortbread over the heads of newlyweds as they enter their new home.

Some call it a biscuit, some call it a cake, but most refer to it as a type of cookie. Actually, this cookie in modern times hasn’t veered to0 far from its original form. The basic ingredients are 3 parts flour, 2 parts butter and 1 part sugar; type of sugar or flour used may vary. You can bake them individually as traditional cookies, however the idea is to have them be level and even in order to ensure they are cooked perfectly; thus having a need for quality made shortbread pans, like our Meadow Flowers Shortbread Pan (seen above), an Irish Lace Shortbread Pan, or our Butterfly Garden Shortbread Pan (seen below).

Get crafty with Flower Cones!

Another use for your ceramic shortbread pan is to use the mold to create beautiful flower cones or cone shaped baskets, to fill with either hard candies, potpourri, dried or fresh flowers.

What You’ll Need: 1 ceramic shortbread pan, 1 package of paper making linter (easily found at your craft store), sieve, sponge, kitchen towel, hot glue, scissors, paints, lace, and 15-30” of satin ribbon.

1. Make up a batch of paper pulp. Pour about 2 cups of pulp into a sieve to drain for about thirty seconds

2. Pour pulp into round ceramic pan; smooth out evenly so edges are even.

3. Sop up excess water with sponge and then use your towel to press the pulp into all the details of the mold.

4. Allow the paper to completely dry in the pan. (leave over night or put in the oven at 150° for 4 hours)

5. Carefully peel paper out of mold; you may need to use a knife to loosen the edges.

6. Trim any edges needed of the paper casting. Cut in half. Get creative and paint any decorations you would like.

7. Crease the paper casting along the scored lines and fold it together to form a cone. Run a bead of hot glue down one edge and glue the cone together. Here you can glue a lace trim if you would like along the inside of the top.

8. Glue the ends of your ribbon inside, onto either side of the cone to form a “handle.” Tie an additional bow if you like. Once everything has dried, you now are ready to fill your basket with whatever decorative or flowers you desire. Hang on a doorknob or give as a thoughtful gift to a friend.