Savory Brown Sugar Sage Shortbread People

Saw this idea on Food Network's The Kitchen and had to give it a try. I wondered about adding sage; thought I might substitute rosemary. At the last minute I did go with the sage . . . the savory shortbreads are DELICIOUS! Maybe I'll try the recipe with rosemary sometime but the sage  definitely added a pleasing flavor. 
I had the gingerbread boys made and then we decorated them during a  team building holiday cooking class party for the Eisenhower Foundation's staff.

Savory Brown Sugar Sage Shortbread People  Yield: I made 20 (5") shortbread people         

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar 

4 teaspoons minced fresh sage 

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and softened 

Special equipment: gingerbread boy (or girl) cookie cutter

For decorating: sliced meats and cheeses, softened cream cheese 

1.   In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the dark brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, minced sage and salt. Use your fingers and rub the sage into the sugar to release its flavor. Add the flour and mix to combine. Add the butter and blend on low until a smooth dough forms. Scrape the bowl and paddle and blend for another 15 seconds.

2.   Place the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap, flatten into a disk and wrap. Allow the dough to chill for at least two hours or up to overnight. (If you leave too long the butter will harden and you'll need to allow dough to soften before trying to roll.)

3.   When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350° and line sheet pans with parchment or silicon baking sheets (I used 4 sheet pans.)

4.   Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Working on a lightly floured surface (or between two pieces of parchment), roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out desired shapes with a 2 1/2-inch people-shaped cookie cutter. Transfer cutouts to the parchment-lined baking sheets and bake until the edges are a deep golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the sheet pans.

Cook’s Note

To decorate with meat and cheese: Use the same people-shaped cookie cutter, cut out clothing from sliced meat and cheese such as deli ham or salami, Cheddar or provolone. Use cream cheese in a piping bag to draw on faces.

Recipe without photos . . .

Savory Brown Sugar Sage Shortbread People  Yield: I made 20 (5") shortbread people         




1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar 

4 teaspoons minced fresh sage 

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and softened 

Special equipment: gingerbread boy (or girl) cookie cutter

For decorating: sliced meats and cheeses, softened cream cheese 

1.   In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the dark brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, minced sage and salt. Use your fingers and rub the sage into the sugar to release its flavor. Add the flour and mix to combine. Add the butter and blend on low until a smooth dough forms. Scrape the bowl and paddle and blend for another 15 seconds.

2.   Place the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap, flatten into a disk and wrap. Allow the dough to chill for at least two hours or up to overnight. (If you leave too long the butter will harden and you'll need to allow dough to soften before trying to roll.)

3.   When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350° and line sheet pans with parchment or silicon baking sheets (I used 4 sheet pans.)

4.   Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Working on a lightly floured surface (or between two pieces of parchment), roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out desired shapes with a 2 1/2-inch people-shaped cookie cutter. Transfer cutouts to the parchment-lined baking sheets and bake until the edges are a deep golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the sheet pans.

Cook’s Note

To decorate with meat and cheese: Use the same people-shaped cookie cutter, cut out clothing from sliced meat and cheese such as deli ham or salami, Cheddar or provolone. Use cream cheese in a piping bag to draw on faces.