Shortbread is the prima donna of Christmas baking. It is a rich sweet indulgence that makes its appearance only at Christmastime.  Shortbread is more pleasing than its fruitier, darker cousin the fruitcake. Shortbread is the absolute opposite.

Fruitcakes are scorned for their denseness and cloying sweetness of fruits, nuts and bright green cherries.  Often reviled, they are re-gifted, re-cycled and re-used. The original Green food.  Shortbread is delicate and pure.  Served with a cup of tea it is an indulgent treat in the midst of Christmas madness.

There are only three basic ingredients in classic shortbread: butter, sugar and flour.  Purists would argue that nothing else should go into shortbread.  This lemon poppyseed shortbread is a wonderful variation.  It can be prepared in an hour.  It is so simple that a beginner baker can present a delicious plate of melt in the mouth cookies.   

Last year, I made these shortbread cookies.  The shortbread  was cooling on the counter and I left the kitchen.  Almost immediately, there was a crash.  The shortbread was scattered and smashed over the kitchen floor.  Hoag The Bad Cat was gobbling down as many crumbs as he could.  None of it could be salvaged. Who would eat shortbread that had been licked by a cat?  Okay, a cat owner might, but no one else.

So I made another batch and this time stayed in the kitchen until the shortbread had cooled enough to be put away for human consumption. So enjoy, but do not leave the cooling cookies untended if you own cats.

Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread

3/4 cup butter -- softened 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons sugar

Preheat oven to 325

In a mixing bowl, cream butter & powdered sugar. 

Stir in poppy seeds & lemon juice. 

Gradually add flour; mix well. 

Divide dough into 4 portions. 

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a 4" circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet. 

Cut each circle into 6 wedges. 

Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Cool before removing to wire rack. 

Break into wedges when cool.

Serve with tea

Feed any left over crumbs to deserving cats.