We are the Foords: rosemary seasalt shortbread (with honey brie frosting)

I tore this recipe from a magazine before Christmas and its been hanging around my kitchen ever since. The scent or rosemary with the salt sounded so delicious, and well, shortbread too of course! How could I resist. So today, while both kiddos had play dates (oopss, I mean 'hang out' for the 12 year old!) and it was a grey wet afternoon and walking the dog in full waterproofts wasn't very appealing, I decided that today would be perfect for a spot of afternoon baking. I had to do a quick trip to the grocery store for some Brie for the frosting, but it was worth it. Here we go….

Cookies:

I cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 teaspoons dried rosemary, plus extra for trimming

3 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon course sea salt

1/4 cup of fig preserve

Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter

4 ounces Brie, softened

1 cup powered sugar

2 teaspoons honey

Cookies: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together for approx 3 minutes. Add the egg and continue mixing for another 1-2 minutes. Add vanilla, 3 teaspoons of rosemary and flour and mix until a thick dough forms (I switched to a dough hook attachment for this part). Divide the dough in half, and roll into two logs about 3 inches in diameter each, wrap in cling wrap and pop in the freezer for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Remove dough logs from freezer and slice into 1/4 inch thick round slices. Place parchment paper onto a baking sheet, and lay out the cookie slices. Press a tiny pinch of rosemary (or a couple of leaves if fresh) together with a few grains of salt into the top of each cookie. Bake 10-12 minutes or until just before they barely start browning on the edge. Remove from oven to cool.

Frosting: In a stand mixer with whisk attachment whip cream cheese until smooth. Add butter and continue mixing for 3 minutes until smooth. Add Brie and whip for another 3 minutes until smooth. Add sugar and mix until smooth. Add honey and mix until creamy and smooth.