Cookie ties that bind

What's their secret?
The Peach ladies say that, however cliché-sounding it may be, the secret ingredient in their recipes is “good, old fashioned love.” TLC and no substitutions; as Susan states, “All shortbreads, in my opinion, must be butter based - no shortening, margarine or lard used here."

Bickers and laughter in buttercream
Today, the mother-daughter team have a pretty boutique bakery in downtown Halifax, where they also sell their shortbreads, along with gourmet cupcakes and baby cheesecakes made with - what else, a  shortbread crust!

Best of all, this talented duo have each other. “I get to spend time with my mom, even if we are bickering and covered in butter cream. It is wonderful knowing I have someone beside me every day that is as committed to the business' success as I am, through the highs and lows, stresses and laughs, we are truly a team,” says TJ.

And if the cookie business bug strikes the following generation, TJ's two year old daughter will be the next in line to helm the growing Susie's Shortbreads empire. “My daughter is already telling me, 'Mommy, I want to help!' Boy, she has no idea what she's getting into!” says TJ with a smile.

Cookie recipes for your family baking day
Care to spend a baking day with your mom or daughter? Here are some of Canadian Living's most loved cookie recipes.

Strawberry Shortbread
A fruitty version of Christmas shortbread with pretty pink icing.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Extremely easy to make and melt-in-your-mouth delicious

Dark and Dangerous Triple Chocolate Cookies
These dark, delicious, intensely choco-laty cookies are just the thing when you want a chocolate fix.

Crisp Seedy Oatmeal Cookies
This is a cookie to satisfy anyone. The raw pumpkin seeds are also known as pepitas.

Mocha Viennese Shortbread
A combination of buttery shortbread, coffee icing and milk chocolate. This cookie recipe was our 2007 cookie contest winner!