Santa Claus's buttons
The name of this recipe, "Santa's Buttons", evokes images of celebration, joy, and of course, delicious sweets. These cookies are not only a delight for the taste buds but also a pleasure to make, being a wonderful family activity during the festive season. With a decadent aroma of cinnamon and ginger, these sweet buttons will remind you of the magic of Christmas. Additionally, they are perfect for gifting or enjoying alongside a cup of hot chocolate or fragrant tea.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 24
Ingredients
- 2 cups of flour (approximately 250 g)
- 1 cup of sugar (approximately 200 g)
- 200 g of butter (at room temperature)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 pinch of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- 3 egg yolks (from fresh eggs)
- Juice of ½ lemon
Ingredient details
- Flour: This is the base for the cookies. Choose type 650 or 000 flour for a finer texture.
- Sugar: You can use white or brown sugar; brown sugar will add a deeper caramel note.
- Butter: Make sure it is soft for easy incorporation. Unsalted butter is ideal, but you can add a little salt if using salted butter.
- Cinnamon and ginger: These spices add a warm and comforting flavor, perfect for the cold season.
- Egg yolks: They contribute to the consistency and texture of the cookies.
Preparation
1. Mixing dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. This step is essential for the cookies to have a uniform texture.
2. Adding the butter: Cut the soft butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry mixer to incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles damp crumbs.
3. Combining with wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the lemon juice. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and knead with your hands until you obtain a smooth and non-sticky dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
4. Chilling the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is important as it helps firm up the butter, making the dough easier to roll out later.
5. Shaping the cookies: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm. Use a glass or a round cutter to cut out circles. With a straw, make four holes in the center of each circle to mimic buttons.
6. Baking: Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes or until they become slightly golden around the edges.
7. Cooling and serving: Once the cookies are done, let them cool on a cooling rack. These cookies can be served plain or dusted with powdered sugar for a festive look.
Practical tips
- Customization: You can add other spices, such as nutmeg or cloves, for an even more complex flavor.
- Enriching the recipe: Instead of egg yolks, you can use a whole egg for fluffier cookies.
- Serving: This dessert pairs perfectly with a cup of fruit tea or a glass of warm milk.
Ideal combinations
These cookies can be paired with a warm drink, such as hot chocolate with marshmallows, or with hibiscus tea, which will balance the sweetness of the cookies. You can also gift them to friends and family, beautifully packaged in a decorative box.
Nutritional benefits
Although sweet, these cookies contain healthier ingredients, such as whole wheat flour (if you choose to use it) and spices with antioxidant properties, such as ginger and cinnamon. These can add to your well-being during the cold season.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use gluten-free flour? Yes, you can replace regular flour with a gluten-free option, but make sure to add a binding agent like xanthan gum.
- How can I store the cookies? These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them.
- Can I add chocolate or nuts? Absolutely! Adding chocolate or nuts will provide an interesting texture and flavor.
With this recipe, "Santa's Buttons", I invite you to enjoy the magic of cooking together with loved ones. Whether you serve them at a Christmas party or simply to bring a smile to those around you, these cookies are the perfect choice!
Ingredients: 2 cups of flour 1 cup of sugar 200 g butter 1 pinch of salt 1 pinch of baking powder cinnamon ginger 3 egg yolks juice from 1/2 lemon
