Biscuits with jam
Jam Cookies: A Tender and Aromatic Delight
In the culinary world, jam cookies are a classic that easily stands the test of time. This quick, simple, and flavorful dessert not only delights your taste buds but also brings a touch of nostalgia with every bite. The tender cookies, covered with a crunchy layer of nuts and filled with your favorite jam, become truly irresistible. Let’s discover together how to prepare them step by step and enjoy their aroma!
Necessary Ingredients
To make approximately 24 cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 200 g sugar
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 egg (yolk separated from the white)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (for extra flavor)
- 140 g flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance the sweetness)
- 75 g chopped nuts (for coating)
- Your favorite jam (plum, apricot, raspberry, or even a mix of jams)
Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooling time: 30 minutes
- Baking time: 10 minutes
- Total: 1 hour
- Servings: 24 cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine the sugar and butter. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. The aroma of melted butter will blend with the sweetness of the sugar, creating a perfect base for the cookies.
2. Adding the wet ingredients: Add the egg yolk and vanilla. Continue to mix until everything is well incorporated. The vanilla will add a fragrant note that will make your jam cookies even more appealing.
3. Incorporating the dry ingredients: Sift the flour and salt over the butter and sugar mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold in the flour, mixing until no flour streaks are visible. It’s important not to overmix, or your cookies will turn out denser and won’t be as tender.
4. Chilling the dough: Once the dough is formed, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential as it allows the butter to firm up, helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
5. Shaping the cookies: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and form small balls (about 2-3 cm in diameter). Shape them and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
6. Coating with egg white and nuts: Beat the egg white until frothy. Dip each ball in the beaten egg white, then roll them in the chopped nuts. This step will give the cookies a crunchy and flavorful layer.
7. Creating the indentations for the jam: Use your finger or a round object to make a small indentation in each ball. These will be the perfect spots to add your favorite jam.
8. Baking: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until they turn lightly golden at the edges. Once removed from the oven, let them cool on the tray for 30 minutes. This is an important step, as the cookies need to stabilize before being filled with jam.
9. Filling with jam: Once cooled, fill each indentation with your favorite jam. You can use a teaspoon or a piping bag for precise filling.
10. Serving and storing: Jam cookies are best enjoyed the next day when the flavors have melded perfectly. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and tender.
Practical Tips
- Choosing the jam: Opt for a high-quality jam, preferably homemade, to add an authentic taste. Tart jams, like raspberry or currant, are ideal for balancing the sweetness of the cookies.
- Variations: You can experiment with different types of nuts (almonds, hazelnuts) or replace some of the flour with cocoa for chocolate cookies.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for an extra flavor boost. These spices pair perfectly with the chosen jam.
Nutritional Information
These jam cookies are a delicious choice, but like any dessert, they should be enjoyed in moderation. Each cookie has approximately 120 calories, being a source of carbohydrates from sugar and flour, and fats from butter and nuts. However, nuts also provide nutritional benefits, such as protein and healthy fatty acids.
Stories and Memories
This type of cookie was often made by our grandmothers on rainy days when we gathered around the table to enjoy a warm tea. Each bite took us back in time, enveloping us in pleasant memories. Perhaps you have a similar story related to cookies or cooking in the family. Share it with your loved ones; it might become a family tradition!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use margarine instead of butter?: While you can use margarine, the taste and texture of the cookies will be different. Butter provides a richer flavor and a more tender texture.
- What other jams can I use?: Any preferred jam or even forest fruit preserves will work perfectly. You can also try citrus-flavored jams for a fresh note.
- How can I keep the cookies longer?: Cookies are best stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can last a few weeks, but they are so delicious that they will likely disappear much faster!
Enjoy this simple and delicious recipe for jam cookies! Whether you make them for yourself or to share with loved ones, these cookies will always bring a smile to the faces of those who savor them.
- Mix the sugar, butter, vanilla, and egg yolk - Add the flour - Knead well and refrigerate for 30 minutes - Form small balls, dip them in beaten egg white, then in nuts, make holes with your finger or a round object - Bake at 180 degrees for 10 minutes - After baking, remove from the oven but leave in the tray for 30 minutes, then fill with jam - Store in closed boxes and serve preferably the next day.
Ingredients: 200 g sugar, 100 g butter, 1 egg (yolk separated from the white), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 140 g flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 75 g crushed walnuts.
