Jump To Section:
With schools and nurseries shut across the country, we thought it would be fun to create the School of ScotlandShop. Maths and Science may not be our strong points, but we love history and all things Scottish. Join us over the upcoming weeks as we design new tartans, hunt for Nessie, find out about Scotland's past, and so much more! We're glad that you can join us!
The History of Shortbread
Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit that is usually made using sugar, butter and flour. The biscuit gets its name from its crumbly texture and is generally associated with Scotland, but it is now made in the rest of the UK, with similar biscuits being found in Denmark, Ireland and Sweden.
The first printed recipe for shortbread originates from 1736, from a Scotswoman named Mrs McLintock, although the biscuit has been made in Scotland for much longer. The biscuit could be found across the country throughout the 12th Century onwards, with the shortbread we know and love today being credited to Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th Century.
Shortbread was expensive and was often kept for special occasions, such as Christmas, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) and weddings. In the Shetland Islands, it is still a tradition to break a decorated piece of shortbread over the head of a new bride.
How to Make Your Own Shortbread Kilts
This week at the School of ScotlandShop we're learning how to make your own shortbread with a colourful twist. We're combining Scotland's national biscuit and national dress to create a tasty Scottish treat. Read on to find out how to create your own shortbread kilts.
We'd love to see your shortbread creations, so be sure to share them with us on social media or email us: info@scotlandshop.com. Be sure to check back next week where we'll be meeting some of Scotland's most famous faces.
Meet the Makers - Shortbread House of Edinburgh
When we set out to find the most delicious shortbread to share with our customers we wanted a brand that shared our values, so our shortbread had to of course be made in Scotland, preferably as local to us as possible, handmade and to the highest of standards. We also needed a company who were happy to supply our American shop as we couldn't have our Albany customers missing out. All of this research and taste testing brought us to Shortbread House of Edinburgh, a family business just likes us with oodles of history, "Shortbread without Shortcuts" and a company that prides itself on doing this properly. No wonder we love them!
In 1989 Anthony Laing and his wife Fiona decided to put the family's long history of baking genius (Anthony's dad was Lord Laing, chairman of United Biscuits) to use and took over a one woman bakery in the capital and Shortbread House of Edinburgh was born. With two out of their three children now working in the business this is a true family affair, and although the company has grown an awful lot over the years, the basic principles of quality, baking in small batches and hand cutting stand true today. We do love an excuse the open up a tin and taste test it for ourselves, Clotted Cream, Salted Caramel, Ginger and a big favourite White Chocolate and Hazelnut...or do you prefer the Original?
