Why is Shortbread called 'short' 'bread'?

Today, even young children know the difference between 'cake' and 'bread' - one being a sweet treat, the other not sweetened except by added toppings. But that distinction is a recent change, as in the sixteenth centruy, the words cake and bread meant the same thing.

'Short cakes' made in days when open hearths were the only method of cooking and a metal girdle was hung from a hook above the warmth for cooking bannocks, scones and shortbread. The ingredients then included a touch of water and yeast.

Classic Shortbread Fingers

Pricking the top yielded a smoother top surface - as the yeast could create an uneven rise. That pricking continues today on the top of all shortbread, however the purpose is purely decorative.

Short cakes were eaten across Britain with Shrewsbury cakes and Goosnargh cakes from Lancashire evolving from the same basic recipe. In Scotland, the ingredients evolved fo become what we know today as sugar, butter and flour. Butter replaced the yeast and also the water. The result was a texture that was crisp and snap-able - therefore 'short' as opposed to elastic, more flexible cakes which were 'long' and typically cooked longer as well.

What will they think of next?

Tartan Tape! When I saw these rolls of tartan tape at the New York Gift Show in January, I simply had to have some. This tape has the properties of masking tape, slightly textured, you can 'move' it once placed, and is the narrow 5/8" width of traditional clear tape. Each roll has 33.85 feet, enough to close many a letter, decorate a card or seal packages. Three great color combinations. Two rolls of any color - $8.

Did you know?

Shortbread is a traditional food eaten on Hogmanay, or New Year's Eve for we Americans. The Vikings brought this tradition to Scotland, as they practiced an ancient pagan ritual of eating yule cakes. Today, January 6th is officially National Shortbread Day - so while the French are eating their Galette du Roi, the Scots are having Shortbread.

In Shetland, a decorated shortbread is broken over a bride's head before she enters her new home.  Weddings are another occasion made special by shortbread.