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When you’re a fan of Puerto Rican delicacies, you’ve in all probability come throughout some pleasant Puerto Rican cookie recipes.
Two standard ones that come to thoughts are Mantecaditos and Polvorones Shortbread.
These scrumptious treats are a staple through the vacation season and are cherished by many for his or her pleasant flavors and distinctive textures.
Let’s dive into the journey of creating these yummy treats, exploring their substances, methods, and traditions.
Understanding Puerto Rican Cookies
Puerto Rican cookies, particularly Mantecaditos and Polvorones Shortbread, are extra than simply scrumptious cookies.
They’re part of the tradition, usually made for particular events and handed down by means of generations.
Mantecaditos are little butter cookies, usually topped with a maraschino cherry or guava jelly, whereas Polvorones are almond-flavored shortbread cookies, loved with a cup of sizzling cocoa or café con leche.
Getting Began with the Cookie Dough
One of many first steps in making these cookies is making ready the cookie dough. Elements like unsalted butter, sugar, and goal flour are mixed in a big bowl.
The butter needs to be at room temperature for finest outcomes.
The dough is then blended till it types a light-weight, fluffy texture.
Almond flour or floor almonds is perhaps used within the Polvorones for that distinct taste, whereas Mantecaditos might need a touch of almond or rum extract.
The Position of Leavening Brokers
In contrast to most cookies, Puerto Rican cookie recipes usually don’t comprise leavening brokers.
It’s because the specified texture is extra dense and crumbly, quite than mild and fluffy.
This is usually a little tough to attain, particularly should you’re used to creating sugar cookies or different sorts of cookies that require a leavening agent.
Shaping the Cookies
As soon as your dough is prepared, it’s time to form these scrumptious cookies.
Utilizing a small scoop or your palms, the dough is rolled into small balls and positioned on an un-greased cookie sheet or a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
For the Mantecaditos, a small indentation is made within the middle of every cookie, which can later be stuffed with guava paste or a maraschino cherry.
Baking to Golden Brown Perfection
The cookies are then baked in a preheated oven till they’re golden brown.
It’s vital to keep watch over them as they bake, as the right cookies should not too tender and never too onerous, however good.
As soon as completed, they’re transferred to a wire rack to chill.
Including the Toppings
As soon as the cookies have cooled, it’s time for the thrilling half – including the toppings!
A dollop of guava paste or a maraschino cherry is positioned within the middle of the cookie, including a pop of coloration and a burst of taste.
For the Polvorones, they’re historically left plain however could be dusted with a bit powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Storing and Serving
These cookies retailer effectively in an hermetic container at room temperature.
Remember to preserve them in a single layer to forestall them from sticking collectively.
In terms of serving, these cookies make an incredible addition to a cookie swap or as a yummy deal with together with your afternoon espresso.
Exploring Different Puerto Rican Cookie Recipes
Whereas Mantecaditos and Polvorones are fairly standard, there are different Puerto Rican cookie recipes price exploring.
Coconut Macaroons, for instance, are a scrumptious mix of coconut milk, sugar, and some different substances baked till golden.
They are often drizzled with chocolate or left plain, relying in your choice.
Last Ideas
Making Puerto Rican cookies is a superb option to discover the wealthy culinary tradition of the island.
Whether or not you’re making them for a vacation season, a cookie swap, or simply as a result of, these scrumptious cookies are certain to convey a style of Puerto Rico into your kitchen.
Joyful baking!
Puerto Rican Mantecaditos (Butter Cookies) Recipe
Yield:
24 Servings
Prep Time:
quarter-hour
Prepare dinner Time:
20 minutes
Complete Time:
35 minutes
Mantecaditos are conventional Puerto Rican cookies that soften in your mouth with a pleasant crunch of almond and a touch of guava. These butter cookies are excellent for any event, from a vacation dinner to a day snack with espresso.
Elements
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- Guava paste, lower into small cubes
- Maraschino cherries, halved
- Powdered sugar (optionally available)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a big bowl, cream collectively the softened butter, granulated sugar, and almond extract till the combination is mild and fluffy.
- Combine within the all-purpose flour, salt, and almond meal till the dough comes collectively. It will likely be a bit crumbly, however it ought to maintain collectively when pressed.
- Scoop out a couple of tablespoon of dough and roll it right into a ball. Place it on the ready baking sheet and press down barely to flatten it. Repeat this course of till all of the dough is used.
- Press a small dice of guava paste into the middle of every cookie, then high it with a half maraschino cherry.
- Bake the cookies within the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or till the sides are flippantly golden brown.
- Enable the cookies to chill on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes earlier than transferring them to a wire rack to chill fully.
- As soon as cooled, mud the cookies with powdered sugar if desired.
- Get pleasure from these pleasant Mantecaditos with a cup of espresso or tea!
Notes
The cookies could be saved in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as every week.
Diet Data:
Yield: 24
Serving Measurement: 1
Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 150Complete Fats: 9gSaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 4gLdl cholesterol: 20mgSodium: 25mgCarbohydrates: 15gInternet Carbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 2g
