Shortbread is a sweet that’s steeped in tradition, so it’s fitting that we have our own selection of “bite-sized” stories about Rose’s Shortbread. Here’s one of our favourites from our family’s long history of shortbread-making:

Before I started selling Rose’s Shortbread on a large scale, I would make it for nearly every craft fair, bake sale, and Christmas market around. It was very popular, and was always being requested. Many people would try to wheedle the recipe out of me, but my family has always kept it to themselves. As I’ve said to many people “I’ll make you all the shortbread you want, but the recipe stays a secret.”

Most people accept this explanation and move on, but some will not let it go.

Many years ago, it happened that my daughter’s grade three class had a bake sale fundraiser. Naturally, I made some of my famous shortbread and it sold out immediately. The principal of my daughter’s school was particularly taken with it and, of course, asked for the recipe, which I politely declined to share.

Most people accept that the recipe is a secret and move on, but some will not let it go.

Not long after, my daughter was called down to the school office. The principal complimented her once more on the delicious shortbread her mother had brought for the bake sale, and asked if she knew the recipe.

My daughter did know the recipe, because she had always been my helper in the kitchen, and still helps out at events and with packaging today. But even at the age of 8, my daughter knew that the recipe was a closely-guarded family secret. So, when the principal asked for it, she very firmly replied, “I’m sorry, but our shortbread recipe is a secret,” and would say nothing more on the matter.

My daughter’s bravery to stand up to her principal has always impressed me, and we’re even more determined to keep the recipe a secret for family members only. That’s why we won’t give out the recipe to anyone—but we’ll always be happy to make some for you.