Ingredients
750 gms flour
500 gms softened butter
250 gms powdered sugar
10 gms vanilla extract
3 egg yolks (at room temperature)
Lemon or orange zest (optional)
Filling: jam, chocolate, sprinkles (as per your preference)
Method
1. Mix softened butter with egg yolks in a large mixing bowl using a hand blender (or an electric blender, if available).
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix again.
3. Add a bit of orange or lemon zest (optional).
4. Gradually add flour and mix. Knead with your hands to form a dough like consistency. Knead until it is smooth and soft.
5. Wrap the dough in a foil and leave it in the refridgerator for an hour.
6. Once chilled, remove dough from fridge, remove foil and roll out dough into a 3mm sheet on a lightly floured board/surface.
7. Cut out various shapes with cookie cutting moulds. Roll any scraps again and cut out the remaining cookies.
8. Heat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Place baking paper onto a metal baking tray and line cookies to bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges turn light brown.
9. When cookies are baked, remove from oven and let them cool down on a wire rack.
10. Assemble cookies by spreading a thin layer of jam (or other fillings) on the bottom surface of the cookie (top of cookie will face out). Place a second cookie on top and gently sandwich them together. Repeat the process until all cookies are assembled.
Decorate cookies with powdered sugar, melted chocolate, sprinkles, nuts or desiccated coconut and enjoy!
Are you baking cookies this christmas? Share your recipes with us at food@gulfnews.com