Citrus Shortbread Filled With Marmalade For Paddington Bear 2

This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.

As you know, we love movies. If you follow my family and I on social media, you know we watch a movie together every Friday. It is our favorite way to unwind. Though, truthfully, I love getting lost within a movie only to escape real life for a moment. I have found that with a good family movie, one can learn quite a bit about themselves. When the credits begin to roll, and you are sitting there with a smile feeling warm inside or inspired. That is the sign of a great movie!

Our daughter is two and though a few of you may say “She is too young for movies”, I’d beg to differ. I love the way Mila’s face lights up when she gets to watch her favorite movies or the way she laughs when she sees something funny. I also think movies give us a chance to talk about things in ways we wouldn’t normally. Movies can also introduce certain emotions and open up worlds beyond that foster imagination and happiness. We can all use more happiness, right?!

There are tons of great family movies out there! When Warner Bros asked to partner with us in promoting their new film Paddington 2 I could not say yes fast enough. You see, it all started when a sweet bear found himself lost in a London train station. When a family found him, adopted him and named him Paddington. They named him so, because Paddington was the name of the train station they found him in. What ensues after finding him is heartwarming fun.

In Paddington 2, the movie re-visits the bear and his adopted family. I don’t want to give too much away, but Paddington works tenfold to find a gift for a family member and after running into a bit of trouble his whole family helps him out. This movie is one that makes you feel good and also drives home the fact that family is of course everything. We were beyond excited to take Mila to see it as she has been asking to see the “bear movie” - take a look at the movie trailer

here. Paddington 2 is in theaters everywhere now!

In partnership with Paddington 2 I have creates a delicious, Paddington (and Mila) approved recipe, and sharing it here today. If you are familiar with Paddington and his love of sticky, sweet marmalade you’d know these cookies would disappear within seconds around that fun loving bear. I love the way Mila plays with her very own Paddington bear, she feeds him cookies and marmalade. Although, she now asks for cookies every time she plays with her bear. This recipe is a citrus infused short bread cookie filled with tangy orange marmalade. These cookies are easiest to make, and I love the idea of you gathering your family to make them. Or planning a playdate for your children and their friends where they make these cookies together. (You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now, that is how easy these are to whip together!)

Family traditions are huge for us, however traditions don’t have to be centered only around holidays or birthdays. Try and make the simple of things a family tradition, like family movie night or cooking together weekly. Give you and your family something to look forward to and give it the title of a family tradition. Because coming together deserves to be done often.

Photos By Lily Ro Photography

CITRUS SHORTBREAD COOKIES FILLED WITH MARMALADE

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup softened unsalted butter

1/2 cup of your favorite marmalade. (Note - You can use any of your favorite jam flavors as the filling)

2/3 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest

*After mixing the batter, let the dough chill for at least 20 minutes. This will keep the cookies shape while baking!

STEPS

1

In a stand mixer (or large bowl and whisk) cream together your butter, sugar and vanilla. You'll want to cream these together until fluffy and the sugar is completely dissolved into the butter. To check if you have creamed the ingredients fully, pinch a little between your thumb and forefinger. If you still feel sugar grains then keep mixing. If it is smooth then you are ready to move on. *Tip - You must begin with softened butter to achieve the perfect consistency/texture.

2

Add flour one cup at a time until a dough has formed.

3

Add in the orange zest. Give the dough once more mix to be sure the orange zest gets mixed in well. *Tip - Be sure to chill your dough for about 20 minutes prior to baking. This will ensure your cookies keep their shape while baking.

4

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and prep a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.

5

Measure 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Roll each portion of dough into balls and place each one on to the baking sheet, leaving about an inch or so of space between each one.

6

Using your thumb, gently press down in the center of each cookie dough ball. Making a small well for the marmalade.

7

Fill each well with a small amount of marmalade.

8

Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden brown. Once cooled completely, enjoy! Store in air tight containers or zip top bags for up to a week.