Salted Margarita Shortbread for #NationalMargaritaDay

Tequila and I are not actually very good friends. Maybe I need to buy more expensive tequila. But I am a fan of cooking with it!

Still when I saw an invitation from my blogging pal Heather at girlichef to make something for #NationalMargaritaDay, I jumped right in. Last year I made Top Shelf Truffles. I considered doing something savory this year, but opted for a margarita shortbread cookie kissed with a tequila drizzle. Salud!

Ingredients

Shortbread

• 3 C white whole wheat flour
• 1-1/4 C organic granulated sugar
• 1 T tequila
• zest from 1 organic lemon (you can use a lime, but we have a Meyer lemon tree in our yard - and I like to use what I have)
• 1/2 t fleur de sel 
• 1 C olive oil

Glaze

• 1 C organic powdered sugar
• 1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice (or lime juice)
• 1 T tequila
• salt (I used a green-hued smoked salt)

Procedure

Shortbread
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, tequila, lemon zest, and fleur de sel. Pour in the olive oil and stir until the dry mixture is completely incorporated into a cohesive ball.

Transfer the dough to a baking dish - I used a 9"x13" rectangle. My stoneware didn't require greasing, but you might want to grease your dish first. Use your fingers to press the dough into an even layer. Prick the surface of the dough all over with a fork; I also cut score marks for the squares. 

Bake until the surface feels firm to the touch and is slightly golden around the edges, approximately 50 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven, re-score the shortbread, and let cool for 20 minutes. 

Using a very sharp knife, slice the shortbread into the squares. Let cool completely before removing from the pan.

Glaze
While the shortbread cools, make glaze. Mix 1 C powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon each water and tequila in small bowl until smooth. (Or omit tequila and use 2 tablespoons water.)

To serve place your shortbread squares on a plate and drizzle with glaze. Sprinkle with salt to garnish.

Here's how the rest of the crew celebrated...

Margaritas:

• Blood Orange Margarita from Sidewalk Shoes
• Blood Orange Margarita from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Caramelized Grapefruit Margarita from girlichef
• Cinnamon Orange Margarita from Sweet Life
• Cool Margarita Mule from Peaceful Cooking
• Iced Coffee Margarita from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Mango Margarita from La Cocina de Leslie
• Minty Papaya Margarita with Chile de Arbol Spice from Nibbles and Feasts
• Pomelo Margaritas from Food Lust People Love
• Winter Pomelo Ginger Margarita from Muy Bueno Cookbook

Margarita-inspired food:

• Blood Orange Margarita Jello Shots from The Spiffy Cookie
• Pink Cadillac Margarita Cupcakes from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Salted Margarita Shortbread from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Strawberry Lime Margarita Cupcakes from Wishes and Dishes
• Strawberry Lime Aide Margarita Popsicles from Simply Healthy Family