Allens Scottish Shortbread

From their small commercial kitchen space, Laura and Anwar Allen of the popular Allens Scottish Shortbread are realizing a dream begun by Laura’s grandmother, Jessie Rabbit. During the 1980s, from her bed & breakfast in the Berkshires, Grandma Rabbit—an immigrant from Scotland—baked and served shortbread just the way her family always had: as a “wee nibble," appropriate anytime, especially with a spot of tea.

Laura remembers seeing Scottish shortbread on the table in the same way one might keep flowers or hard candy. It became so popular with guests that Grandma Rabbit decided to sell the budding shortbread baking business to spend more time with her family.

Allens Scottish Shortbread easy millionaire shortbread recipe

20 years later, Laura and Anwar met at the University of Virginia. Laura recounted these stories to him, and Anwar, a first generation American himself, recognized the dream. After graduating UVa with degrees in English Literature and African American Studies, and following a short stint running a digital media and marketing company, the Allens decided to take the chance as bakers.

Allen's Scottish Shortbread tea baking recipe

Allens Scottish Shortbread, A Family Business

The Allens wanted Allens Scottish Shortbread to to be uniquely theirs. They incorporated the Allen family Scottish tartan on all of their packaging. In 2014, with a small loan from Grandma Rabbit, they started making just enough shortbread for the Charlottesville City Market. The shortbread is baked and cut locally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Each box bears its own charming illustration and story. A sweet family of bunnies wearing the Allen family Scottish tartan are on every box of shortbread to symbolize the real family behind the treat.

The experience and contacts that the Allens formed during their marketing days began to pay off with placements for their shortbread cookies in Charlottesville area shops. Then came a larger movement onto the shelves at Whole Foods stores throughout the region and even through the QVC shopping channel. “We’re blessed with so many great business partners,” says Anwar.

Shortbread with Harney & Sons Tea

The Allens offer 12 shortbread cookie flavors inspired by the season and by their relationship with Harney & Sons Fine Teas. This relationship dates back to the early days of the tea company as John Harney, the founder of Harney & Sons, sourced his Scottish shortbread from a local Scottish baker. Today, John’s grandson, Emeric, has partnered with this same baker’s granddaughter, Laura, to create delicious, fresh-baked shortbread with tea flavors as a nod to their shared British heritage.

For over 40 years, Harney & Sons Fine Teas of England has stayed true to its simple promise to deliver customers the finest quality tea possible. Founded by John Harney and his wife Elyse Harney in 1983, the business was inspired by an enthusiastic love for tea and remains in the Harney family today. Now led by the second and third generations of Harneys, Harney & Sons Tea offers over 300 varieties of exceptional teas.

The Allens began an innovative partnership with the company in 2019 to use the brand's special tea blends in their shortbreads. Popular Harney & Sons Tea flavors infused into the shortbread cookies include Earl Grey, lavender, cinnamon spice and Meyer lemon. They are combining their rich cultural traditions in making this new tea-infused shortbread cookie collection and charming new cookie-lovers along the way.

The latest addition to the made-in-Virginia shortbread collection is a chocolate chip shortbread. It brings a delicious twist to the traditional shortbread. The classic flavor has box illustrations of the Allen family Scottish tartan on the lawn of The University of Virginia, adding a bit more family history to the sweet treat.

Pairing Shortbread & Tea

Laura recommends enjoying their shortbread with Harney & Son's London Fog, Paris & Earl Grey Supreme teas with milk. "They all pair perfectly with the shortbread for a lovely tea time," she says. Whether enjoyed on their own or accompanied by a hot cup of comforting tea, Allens Scottish Short Bread is an excellent sweet treat. Read on in this story for an easy Millionaire's Shortbread Recipe crafted by the Allens that you can enjoy at home, perhaps with a delicious cup of Harney & Son's tea.

scottish shortbread made with Harney Tea

Scottish Shortbread, Growing A Tradition in Virginia

Today, using custom shortbread pans and the same shortbread cutters that Grandma Rabbit used 40 years ago, the Allens produce over 60,000 boxes of their amazing Scottish shortbread each year. With her vibrant storytelling, whimsical artistry and devotion to her roots, Laura feels that she is “weaving a tapestry of culture for a culture-specific product” and bringing Americans that Scottish tradition of a “wee nibble” of shortbread, appropriate anytime, especially with a spot of tea. She loves that the family baking business is continuing into the future and that their daughters are part of the story.

You can purchase these delicious shortbread cookies at retailers throughout Virginia or from Allen's Scottish Shortbread Online Shop.

Learn more about the renowned food and drink makers paving the way for greatness in Virginia Wine Country with Virginia Wine & Country's Meet the Maker series. From award-winning winemakers, gardeners and Michelin Star chefs, Virginia is home to a robust farm-to-table movement defined by culinary delights and craft beverages such as heritage hard cider and award-winning craft beer. This article originally appeared in Book 14 of Virginia Wine & Country Life. Start your subscription here or give a gift subscription. ~

Allens Scottish Shortbread

By Laura Allen

Meet the bakers and entrepreneurs of Allens Scottish Shortbread. This delicious treat, many infused with Harney & Sons Teas, has become a popular staple in Virginia Wine Country for picnics, snacks and gifts. The shortbread experts have also shared an easy millionaire's shortbread recipe.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 3 hr
Total: 3 hr 5 min

Ingredients

1 box Traditional Allen's Scottish Shortbread
14 oz Condensed Milk
8 oz Ghiradelli Chocolate

Method

Caramelized Condensed Milk

Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium heat
Place unopened can of condensed milk in the boiling water, cover and let simmer for three hours, turning the can every half hour to prevent scorching
Remove the can and let cool

Chocolate Layer

Break the chocolate up into small pieces
Microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between rounds until fully melted

Millionare Shortbread

Open box of shortbread
Spread a layer of the caramelized condensed milk on top of the shortbread layer and chill.
Spread a layer of melted chocolate over the chilled caramel and shortbread base and sprinkle with sea salt. Chill in the fridge until your millionaire’s shortbread is set.

Notes

Tip: Millionaire's Shortbread keeps best when cut into squares, individually wrapped in tinfoil and frozen.

BRIAN MELLOTT has a master’s degree in education, and is a writer and photographer whose work shows his passion for food and the people who create it.

JEN FARIELLO has been taking beautiful photographs since 1996, specializing in journalistic, fine art wedding and portrait photography. Jen’s work has been featured in many regional and national publications like Time, People, Rolling Stone, Southern Weddings, The Knot, Weddings Unveiled, Southern Living and Wine & Country Weddings.

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