Shortbread Cookies 12 Ways

A cookie plate assembled by Mindy Segal is a pastry rebel's playground-fudgy, salty, melty, chunky and unapologetically fun. But great technique underlies her zaniness. In her book, Cookie Love, the chef-owner of Mindy's HotChocolate in Chicago shows how mastering a classic like shortbread can unlock the baking genius in you. Click or tap ahead for Mindy's four-ingredient Classic Shortbread recipe and tips for how to make all the variations shown in the photo.

After you've tried Mindy Segal's basic shortbread recipe, go a little (or a lot) crazy with variations. Here, add ground corn nuts (yep!) to dough; sandwich with chocolate ganache.

Add ground pepitas (pumpkin seeds) to shortbread dough; sandwich with lemon curd.

Add crushed pretzels to shortbread dough; dip cookies in-or spoon on-milk and dark chocolates.

Pipe pink peppermint buttercream on basic shortbread; garnish with crushed candy cane.

Add lime zest and toasted coconut to shortbread dough; dip in white chocolate and toasted coconut.

Add instant coffee crystals to the shortbread dough; drizzle with dark chocolate.

Lay a wire rack over baked shortbread cookies; sift powdered sugar over them.

Add ground smoked almonds to the shortbread dough; sandwich with dulce de leche (available in the Hispanic foods aisle); dip in milk chocolate and finely chopped smoked almonds.

Add ground Brazil nuts to dough; sandwich with strawberry jam.

Add orange zest to dough; top with leftover cheesecake.

Top shortbread with dark chocolate and drizzle with white chocolate.