Baskets with jam and nuts

Delicious baskets with jam and nuts

If you want to impress your guests with a quick and simple dessert, the baskets with jam and nuts are the perfect choice. This dessert is not only exceptionally tasty, but it is also easy to prepare, requiring accessible ingredients and a simple technique. Here’s how you can make these wonderful baskets, step by step.

Total preparation time: 60 minutes (20 minutes preparation + 25 minutes baking)
Number of servings: 12 baskets

Necessary ingredients:

For the dough:
- 4 egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons of milk
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 75 g powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 teaspoon of ammonium bicarbonate
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Approximately 400 g flour

For the filling:
- 4 egg whites
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 cup of ground nuts (you can also use hazelnuts)
- Vanilla essence
- Grated orange peel
- Jam (choose a flavorful jam, such as apricot or raspberry)

Preparation instructions:

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, cream the egg yolks with the powdered sugar until you get a fluffy, light-colored cream. Add the soft butter, milk, and oil, mixing well after each ingredient. This mixture will give the baskets a fine texture and rich flavor.

2. Activating the bicarbonate:
Quench the ammonium bicarbonate with lemon juice and add it to the yolk mixture. This will help the dough rise during baking.

3. Adding the flour:
Gradually incorporate the flour, mixing with a spatula or your hands until you get a homogeneous dough. The dough should not be too soft, but should have a suitable consistency for rolling out.

4. Forming the baskets:
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm. Use a cookie cutter to obtain dough discs. Place each disc in the basket forms, ensuring that the dough covers the walls of the form well.

5. Preparing the filling:
Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until you get a firm foam. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until you obtain a shiny meringue. Incorporate the cocoa, ground nuts, vanilla essence, and grated orange peel. Gently mix to avoid losing air from the mixture.

6. Filling the baskets:
Put a teaspoon of jam in each basket, then, using a bag cut at one corner, add the meringue mixture on top of the jam. These layers will provide a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the forms in the preheated oven and bake the baskets for 20-25 minutes, or until the meringue is slightly golden and the dough is well baked.

8. Serving:
Let the baskets cool slightly before removing them from the forms. They are served warm or at room temperature, alongside a cup of aromatic coffee or tea. A personal suggestion is to dust them with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant look.

Possible variations:
- You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as almonds or pistachios, to add a distinctive note.
- Instead of classic jam, try berry jams or even a chocolate cream for a decadent experience.

The baskets with jam and nuts are not only a delightful dessert but also a perfect option to end a festive meal or to indulge in a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy the preparation and savor every bite!