Soft cinnamon cookies

Soft Cinnamon Cookies: A Recipe for Comfort and Warmth

On chilly days, there’s nothing more comforting than the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Soft cinnamon cookies are a perfect treat that combines a crispy texture with a sweet and spicy flavor. This simple and quick recipe will turn any cold day into a celebration of tastes and aromas. Let’s get started!

Preparation time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour of resting in the fridge)
Baking time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: About 25 cookies

Necessary ingredients:
- 300 g flour
- 200 g sugar
- 110 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 50 g sugar (for rolling the cookies)
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon (for rolling the cookies)

Ingredient details:
- Flour: Choose a good quality flour, ideal for baking, to achieve soft and delicate cookies.
- Sugar: White sugar is preferred, but you can also experiment with brown sugar for a more intense flavor.
- Butter: Use butter at room temperature for easier incorporation into the mixture.
- Cinnamon: This spice not only adds flavor but also has nutritional benefits, being a powerful antioxidant.

Let’s begin the culinary adventure!

1. Sifting the flour: Start by sifting the flour together with the baking powder. This step helps aerate the flour, ensuring fluffier cookies. Set the mixture aside.

2. Preparing the butter: In a large bowl, add the room temperature butter along with 150 g of sugar. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to cream the butter and sugar until you achieve a creamy and fluffy mixture.

3. Adding wet ingredients: Add the vanilla extract and the egg (beaten with a pinch of salt) to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is homogeneous.

4. Incorporating the flour: Begin to gradually add the flour and baking powder mixture to the wet composition. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to mix until you obtain a well-bound dough.

5. Resting the dough: Once the dough is formed, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for one hour. This step is essential as it helps solidify the butter, leading to a crispy texture.

6. Preparing the oven and the tray: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.

7. Shaping the cookies: After an hour, take the dough out of the fridge. If you have a cookie press, use it to shape the cookies. If not, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 0.5 cm, and cut out the cookies with desired shapes. Alternatively, you can form balls by hand and then roll them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture.

8. Rolling the cookies: In a small bowl, mix the 50 g of sugar with cinnamon. Roll each cookie or ball in this mixture, ensuring they are well coated.

9. Baking: Place the cookies on the prepared tray, leaving space between them to allow for expansion during baking. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until they turn golden.

10. Cooling: Once the cookies are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a rack. They will become crunchier as they cool down.

Practical tips:
- If you want to add a personal touch, try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the dough mixture.
- The cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep them even longer, you can freeze them.
- These cookies are perfect to enjoy alongside a cup of coffee or tea, making them an ideal companion for relaxation moments.

Nutritional benefits:
These cookies contain basic ingredients that provide energy, and cinnamon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, butter and egg bring healthy fats and proteins, making them a satisfying snack.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of sweetener? Yes, you can experiment with alternative sweeteners, but keep in mind that the taste and texture may vary.
- What can I use instead of cinnamon? If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, try ground ginger or even cocoa to achieve a different flavor.

Possible variations:
- Chocolate cookies: Add chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a delicious combination.
- Nut cookies: Add ground or chopped nuts to the dough for extra texture and flavor.

Serve these soft cinnamon cookies at a festive meal, at a gathering with friends, or simply as a delicious snack any day. Enjoy every bite and let the warm aroma of cinnamon fill your home with a sense of comfort!