Hi friends. Eight days until Christmas, and here we are — running around, still working, trying to get everything ready to go for the holidays. On top of that, my family has been taking turns getting sick with a summer cold, so chills and headache seem to be going around Sydney.

Are you busy / tired / rushing too?

As a quick way to help out this morning, I thought I’d share my easy Raspberry White Chocolate Shortbread cookies. I made a huge batch yesterday, and they’re always a hit.

Raspberry White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

• 1 cup softened butter

• 2/3 cup white sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons flour

• raspberry jam

• white chocolate melts

Cream butter and sugar, beat in extract, and gradually add flour and mix into a soft dough. Roll into 1 inch balls, make a thumbprint and fill with jam. Bake at 180 C / 350 F for 12 minutes. Cool and drizzle with melted white chocolate. (I use a ziplock bag with the corner cut off — easy!)

Totally delicious!

I hope you have a relaxing weekend, and if you have a long list, that everything gets crossed off just as you planned.

Love Catherine x

PS. The fun stuff!

• A cute way to wrap something — paper gingerbread houses.

• This is Christmas — so fantastic.

• My boys love this sweet treat at Christmas…seems more popular with men than with women?? It’s easy and quick.