Nibby Chocolate Buckwheat Shortbread

Nibby Chocolate Buckwheat Shortbread | A Sweet Spoonful
I had every intention of starting a new tradition this year and hosting a cookie swap with some of our local friends, but somehow the season really got the best of me and it just hasn’t happened. But! That hasn’t stopped me from getting a head start on holiday baking; I posted a photo on Instagram the other day of some of my very favorite holiday cookbooks, and asked if there was a way we could all just take the whole week off to bake instead of work. Judging from the responses, it seems I’m not the only one who thinks this would be a really great idea. But back here in reality, cookie baking is relegated to later evenings or, I hope, this weekend we’ll find some time to eek in a few batches (the recipe for Sam’s mom’s Nutmeg Logs is up next, and I’m set on making gingerbread men to take with us down to the Bay Area). Right now on our countertop, we’ve got a batch of these crumbly, chocolatey, whole grain shortbread that have proven to be a big hit. The ingredient list is small and simple, the technique foolproof, and I think they’re a real standout in a sea of holiday cookies.

There are what seem like a million shortbread recipes out there, but generally the traditional ones share the formula of 2 sticks butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 (or so) cup of sugar. Some recipes you’ll see adding vanilla extract, maple syrup, all manner of nuts or fruits of chocolate. Last year, I’d come across a recipe for a Mocha Shortbread that originally inspired the idea for these cookies today, but I wanted to experiment with using 100% buckwheat flour and pair it with chocolate as I think the two work so well together: buckwheat has that natural nutty, earthiness that goes so well with a dark cocoa flavor. And of course, cacao nibs add a bit of crunch that’s so nice with a crumbly, buttery cookie. I also wanted to use significantly less sugar, and I think the balance here is really spot on: dark and chocolatey with a nutty, toasty crunch and just a hint of sweetness. The flavor of the buckwheat really shines through, and they’re perfect with coffee in the evening or tea in the afternoon.

December | A Sweet Spoonful

In truth, it took me a really long time to land on this recipe as I found myself inundated with all of the cookies I wanted  to make. There are so many! I’d love to hear about any favorites you have in your house — really. I continue to love baking thumbprints, gingerbread men and Mexican wedding cookies — and now, these shortbread cookies: what about you? What are you baking for friends and family this year?

December | A Sweet Spoonful

We are heading down to the Bay Area next week to spend time with my family over the holiday. I’m not 100% certain I’ll be back here before then, so if I’m not I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing yet spirited holiday with your loved ones that’s filled with downtime and lots of cookie baking. I so look forward to rejoining you here soon thereafter. xox ~m

Nibby Chocolate Buckwheat Shortbread

Nibby Chocolate Buckwheat Shortbread

  • Yield: 27 bars
  • Prep time: 15 mins
  • Cook time: 30 mins
  • Inactive time: 2 hrs
  • Total time: 2 hrs 45 mins

Ingredients

2 cups (260g) buckwheat flour
1/3 cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup (115g) natural cane sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (60g) cacao nibs

Instructions

Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using hand beaters), beat the butter on medium speed, until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Add the sugar in a few batches and continue to beat for another minute or so.  Add vanilla extract, scrape down the edges of the bowl and beat again for 30 seconds or until well combined.

With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just incorporated, about 1 minute. Fold in the cacao nibs.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and use the plastic wrap to help you to smooth out the top of your shortbread, using your hands or the back of a measuring cup. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Use a paring knife to slice dough into 27 bars (8 across the short side, 3 across the long side). Poke holes in the top using a fork.

Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan. Once cool, recut bars along your original cut marks. Shortbread will remain fresh for up to 3 weeks if stored in an airtight room temperature container.

Comments

  1. Mary

    I *love* the combination of chocolate and buckwheat. Alice Medrich's nibby buckwheat cookies are one of my favorites. I've always wondered about upping the buckwheat percentage, but somehow in the midst of the holiday rush I fall back on the version I know, love, and trust rather than experimenting freely like I do at other times. I'm glad to know an all buckwheat cookie can work.

    These sound really lovely.

  2. Lisa Waldschmidt

    I did a cookie bake last weekend. The favorites where a triple chocolate with cocoa nibs, Rosemary shortbread, lemon thumbprint with raspberry jam! Oh and the quadruple ginger cookies were thin and crispy. And a cinnamon roll cookie that actually tasted better the next day.

    1. megang

      Lemon thumbprints with raspberry jam sound great, Lisa. And intrigued with the cinnamon roll cookie! Happy holidays, ~m

  3. Margie

    I LOVE the idea of taking the week off to bake. In fact, some years I pretty much do that. I used to bake at least 12 different kinds of cookies. (this is a priority for me - I'm a CPA!) Now I bake fewer cookies but some fancy pastries and an English pudding or two (but that's earlier - go check out "Stir-up Sunday")

    1. megang

      Margie- 12 kinds of cookies is dedication! That's amazing. I will check out "Stir up Sunday"; thank you. Happy Friday, m

  4. Suzanne

    Our girls & families arrive tomorrow. The cookie baking is sure to start in earnest. We have some gluten-free folks, so love this buckwheat recipe. As I did the rice flour & buckwheat you used for quick bread. My favorite Christmas cookie is snowballs. (Like Mexican wedding cake with date or candied cherry inside.) Happy Christmas to you & family.

  5. Eileen

    This shortbread sounds delicious! A perfect use for the packet of buckwheat flour I have kicking around in the back of the freezer. :)

  6. Erin Bennett

    I saw this recipe last night and had to make them. So I did this morning. They are delicious and perfect and not too sweet. Also, I didn't have time to cool them first, and they still turned out great. Many thanks. And have a great holiday week!

    1. megang

      Yay, Erin! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Ours are now gone and I'm contemplating making another batch ... happy holidays! ~m

  7. kickpleat

    I always find shortbread a little too rich for me, but I'm really loving buckwheat in baked goods. So I'll be making a batch tomorrow morning. They sound amazing!

  8. Stephanie

    An all-buckwheat cookie! That is very daring . . . and, I think, a wonderful idea with dark chocolate. I'm looking forward to trying it.

    My favourite Christmas cookie recipe is one my grandma used to make. It's a shortbread peppermint pattie sandwich cookie. Sandwich the chocolate-covered peppermint pattie between two warm shortbread cookies and I'm in heaven. Merry Christmas!

  9. Kate

    Oh so many cookies to make and now one more! These look like the perfect cookie combination. We always make a orange sour cream cookie that is a family favorite. Happy New Year to you!

  10. SandraM

    Made these. And they were so good!! Honestly, I had my doubts going in, but am so glad I tried them!
    But I think since my favourite pancakes are the whole grain pancakes from Whole Grain Mornings, I should have realized they'd be good!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe. I find these are so much better than regular (rich) shortbread). :)

    1. megang

      Oh I'm so glad, Sandra! I love these little cookies ... not too sweet but super flavorful. Happy New Year ~Megan

  11. Susan

    Had a little problem, they were SO crumbly, very difficult to get smooth in the pan and a mess when I cut them before baking...........woof

    1. megang

      Hi, Susan- I'm so sorry to hear you had trouble with these! It's odd because we've made them a few times and I've had a number of readers comment on how they enjoyed the recipe. But that certainly doesn't discount what I imagine was a frustrating experience for you. Sometimes it really can have something to do with the flour (the age and the grind of whole grain flours can really affect a recipe). So I'm imagining this might've been the culprit here. Regardless, I hope the little bits were nice to snack on. Happy Friday, Megan

  12. Mary

    Hi Megan! I love your recipes. You are a big inspiration for me. i
    I would to ask you why don't correspond grams with cups un this recipe? I'm from Spain but I read to you from Norway. Sorry for my English. Thanks. Mary

  13. Mary

    Ok it was my mistake. Everything is ok. Congratulations for your job!! Mary

  14. Miranda Wade

    Seriously great recipe. I skipped the nibs, used salted butter, and even dropped the sugar a few spoons. Salty, chocolatey, sandy. The new standard!

    1. megang

      Awesome, Miranda! I'm so glad!

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