These are the simplest cookies using a minimal amount of ingredients. Normally its Flour, sugar and Butter with a few addons.
Now, the name is Spiced Shortbread sticks. I used Fennel/saunf as a spice flavouring for these. You can honestly choose any flavour u like. It can be Jeera/Cinnamon/Five spice/Ajwain/saffron/Black pepper etc.
You can even add powdered nuts as a flavour.
But there is one thing that needs to be taken care of while making these. I used Salted butter (Amul), because I like the balance of salt and sugar. Nothing too sweet.
But if u don’t enjoy salt, per say in cakes and cookies, Use unsalted butter. That enhances the flavour of the spice since salt may dominate your taste.
These stay perfectly for a couple of days in an air tight box. No refrigeration is required.
Normally, the dough for a shortbread cookie needs to be refrigerated before baking. That gives a good texture to the cookie.
But here, we have added rice flour and used softened butter, so no need to chill. And these can be made in no time.
You need:
250gms Butter, softened
60gms Light Brown/ Demerara Sugar
1tsp Vanilla Extract
300gms All Purpose Flour.
60gms Rice flour
3 tsp Ground Fennel
110gms Demerara Sugar, to roll.
How To:
Preheat oven at 170 degree Celsius.
Using a hand/ electric blender, beat the butter, Demerara sugar and vanilla until well combined.
Stir in the flours and the spice gradually, not all at one time.
Knead the dough with light hands on a clean and lightly floured surface, until smooth.
Divide it into half. Furthermore into half again.
Now roll them nor too thick not too thin. If u roll too thin, they start to crumble.
Cut them about an inch long approximately and roll in castor sugar.
You have to be gentle in handling these or they may fall apart.
Place them on a tray lined with Silicon sheet/ Parchment paper.
Bake for 15-18mins on until slightly golden.
Let them cool on the tray for a few mins before transferring, or else they will break, coz they are quite delicate at this stage
The sugar that coats the cookie doesn’t melt and gives the perfect crunch to the soft buttery cookie. If you don’t have demerara sugar, you can take castor sugar too.
These can also be dipped in chocolate. Its all about your imagination and preferences .
Play along !!
Hope you guys like what i do ! Keep pouring in your comments and suggestions !
Till then,
Bon Appetit Peeps !!!
cookwithkiah 