Be The Star Gift Box Recipe
Make Be The Star Gift Box Recipe in just 2h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
White Chocolate Drizzle & Decoration
Gift Box & Packaging (makes one small gift box)
Method
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl.
Mix in the vanilla extract until incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until evenly combined.
With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Do not overmix. If dough is crumbly, add 1–2 tsp cold water to bring together.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter (about 2–2.5 inches) to cut out cookies. Re-roll scraps once and cut additional stars.
If dough became soft while working, chill the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10–15 minutes to help them hold shape.
Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look matte (they may still be slightly soft). Rotate pans halfway through baking for even browning.
Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
White Chocolate Drizzle & Decoration
Melt white chocolate
Place the white chocolate and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl. Melt gently over a double boiler or in 20–30 second bursts in the microwave, stirring between intervals, until smooth. Be careful not to overheat—white chocolate burns easily.
Drizzle
Spoon the melted white chocolate into a small piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a tiny corner snipped. Drizzle thin streams of white chocolate across each cooled cookie to create a decorative starry pattern. Alternatively, dip half of each cookie into the white chocolate for a half-coated look.
Add sprinkles & salt
While the chocolate is still wet, scatter edible gold star sprinkles over the drizzle or the coated portion. If desired, lightly sprinkle a tiny pinch (about 1/16–1/8 tsp) of coarse sea salt on each cookie to balance sweetness.
Set chocolate
Place decorated cookies on parchment and allow the white chocolate to set at room temperature for 30–60 minutes, or speed the process by chilling in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes.
Assemble Gift Box
Prepare box
Line the base of the gift box or tin with a layer of tissue paper or parchment. If using cupcake liners, place a liner for each cookie to keep them from touching.
Arrange the fully set cookies in the box in a single layer. If you need to stack, place parchment or round pieces of cardboard between layers to protect the decorations.
Finish & present
Fold the tissue paper over the cookies, close the lid, and tie the box with ribbon. Affix a gift tag with a short message such as “Be The Star.” Store the gift box in a cool, dry place and deliver within 3–5 days for best freshness (refrigerate if your environment is warm).