Daisies

Recipe for Margheritine – Butter and Lemon-flavored Cookies

Total time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 20 cookies

Margheritine are those delicious, fragile, and aromatic cookies that evoke memories of grandparents and moments of indulgence. This simple recipe will help you create a perfect snack at home to enjoy alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Here’s how to prepare these wonderful delights step by step.

Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 100 g starch
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 pinch of salt (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- Grated zest of one lemon (preferably organic for an intense flavor)
- 200 g soft butter (at room temperature)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, starch, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients well, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the grated lemon zest, which will give the cookies a fresh aroma.

2. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with a whisk until slightly frothy. This step will help incorporate air, making the cookies fluffier.

3. Add the soft butter to the dry ingredients and start rubbing them together with your fingers or using a mixer until you get a crumbly mixture. Then, pour in the beaten yolks and gently knead until you obtain a smooth dough. Make sure not to over-knead, or the cookies will become hard.

4. Forming the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step is essential as it will help firm up the butter and make cutting the cookies easier.

5. Preheating the oven: While the dough cools, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

6. Cutting the cookies: Once the dough has cooled, take it out of the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it reaches a thickness of about 5 mm. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut out the desired shapes. Place the cookies on the prepared tray, leaving a little space between them to allow for expansion.

7. Baking: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Be careful not to leave them too long, as they can dry out.

8. Cooling: Once the cookies are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack. This part is crucial, as the cookies become crunchier as they cool.

9. Serving: Margheritine are delicious on their own, but you can sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for an elegant look. You can also serve them with raspberry jam or cream cheese for a savory contrast.

Practical tips:
- Use high-quality butter for a richer taste.
- You can replace the lemon zest with orange zest or vanilla extract for a different variation.
- If you want less sweet cookies, reduce the amount of powdered sugar.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Enjoy these tender and aromatic margheritine, which are perfect for any occasion! These delights represent a quick and simple dessert, perfect for impressing family and friends.