Toasting the Nuts, Upping the Flavor

Nuts are often featured in holiday cookies and their crunch, butter flavor and yes, vitamins do a lot to torque the appeal of any cookie. Just adding nuts to shortbread makes them even more special! However, if you gently pre-bake the nuts (parchment lined baking sheet, 325 F for 15-20 minutes, with a shuffle during the baking) until lightly browned or a bit golden, the flavor goes through the roof. An extra step? Sure. But so worth it! Remember my credo: baking is a series of little things done right.