Dip Them

• Dipping shortbread cookies in assorted melted candies is a simple way to turn the plain cookies into gourmet treats. You can use semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel or butterscotch chips for dipping. Melt the chips and a little butter over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Dip each cookie into the melted chips and place on a piece of wax paper to dry.

Top Them

• A shortbread cookie provides a flat surface on which to add toppings. For example, add a raspberry and a drizzle of chocolate to each cookie to create a fancy-looking dessert. Make a flower on the cookie with buttercream frosting and top it with sprinkles to create a colorful dessert. Add a slice of strawberry to the shortbread and top it with whipped cream for a home-style, after-dinner treat.

Create Crusts

• Crushed shortbread cookies are a handy ingredient when it comes to whipping up a quick pie or cheesecake crust. Mix the crushed cookies with a little softened butter to create the crust. Press the mixture into the bottom of a pie pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden. Let the crust cool before adding filling and baking again, if needed. You can also use the same crust recipe to create cookie and brownie bars. Simply make the crust and press the mixture into the bottom of a baking dish instead of a pie dish. You can also add assorted extras to the crust, such as chopped nuts or candies.

Make Sandwiches

• Use shortbread to make dessert sandwiches. Sandwich the cookies around a little pineapple sherbet for a tropical treat. Spoon some rocky road ice cream between the cookies for an indulgent dessert. Smear coconut frosting between the cookies for a nutty sweet. Fill the shortbread sandwich with strawberry and kiwi slices for a refreshing treat.

Tips

• The key to pairing shortbread cookies with other ingredients is to look for things that taste good with both sweet and buttery flavors. Common pairings include fruit, nuts and chocolate.