Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Melting Moments




Hi, again.

I've been baking, but not blogging. I keep forgeting to post my items. Today I baked a shortbread cookie called Melting Moments. It is from the website Joyofbaking.com. I love, love, love Mexican wedding cookies so I assumed I'd like these too. Melting moments are not as good. I miss the flavor the ground nuts add. The cookies were very tender and quite crumbly. They are supposed to be rolled in confectioners sugar when they are done baking. I did that with some of them, but wanted to add some flavor in the second batch, so I sprinkled cinnamon on them. That didn't do too much for the cookies. I think I'd stick with the powdered sugar.
Anyway, here's the recipe, but I am not advocating baking these. Stick with the Mexican wedding cookies. They are classics for a reason.



Melting Moments


1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch (corn flour)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (30 grams) confectioners sugar (powdered or icing)
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping:
1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners sugar (powdered or icing)



In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth (about 2 minutes).

Beat in the vanilla extract.

Add the flour mixture and beat just until incorporated.


Cover and refrigerate the batter for an hour or two, or until firm.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.


When batter is firm, form into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.

Bake for about 10 - 14 minutes or until the edges of the cookies just start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 3-5 minutes.

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack that is placed over a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Put the confectioners sugar in a fine strainer or sieve and sprinkle the tops of the cookies with the sugar.


These cookies store very well. Place in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper and they will keep a couple of weeks. If desired, just before serving, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with confectioners sugar.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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