Cheese cookies

Cheese Cookies - A Quick and Delicious Treat

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 12 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Number of servings: 24 cookies

Cheese cookies are a perfect choice for a quick and simple dessert that will delight both friends and family. These cookies have a fluffy texture, and the flavor of cottage cheese, combined with the other ingredients, creates an irresistible taste. Here’s how to prepare them step by step.

Ingredients:
- 250 g cottage cheese (preferably well-drained)
- 150 g sugar
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 350 g flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 packet baking powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- A pinch of salt
- Grated zest of one orange (optional, for a fresh taste)
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- Powdered sugar (for decoration)

Step 1: Preparing the dough
Start by preparing a large bowl in which you will mix the ingredients. Add the soft butter and sugar, then mix well until you obtain a smooth cream. This step is essential for achieving fluffy cookies. Make sure the butter is at room temperature, as it will incorporate better.

Step 2: Adding the egg and cheese
After obtaining the butter and sugar cream, add the egg and mix for a few minutes until it is completely incorporated. Then, add the cottage cheese, vanilla sugar, orange zest, and rum essence. Mix again until homogeneous. Cottage cheese is a key ingredient that gives a unique taste and soft texture to the cookies.

Step 3: Incorporating the dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula or by hand until you obtain a homogeneous dough. The dough should not be very sticky; if necessary, you can add a little more flour.

Step 4: Chilling the dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step will help firm up the dough, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading during baking.

Step 5: Shaping and baking the cookies
Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper. After the dough has been in the fridge, take it out and form small balls, which you can lightly flatten or cut into flower shapes. Place them on the prepared tray, leaving enough space between them as they will expand while baking.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they turn golden around the edges. It is important not to leave them in the oven too long, as they will continue to bake after you take them out.

Step 6: Decorating
Once the cookies have cooled completely, sprinkle them with powdered sugar for an elegant look and sweet taste. These cheese cookies are excellent alongside a cup of tea or coffee, making them ideal for serving at a gathering with friends or a special occasion.

Variation suggestions:
To add a personal touch to your recipe, you can experiment with various flavors, such as:
- Replace the orange zest with lemon zest for a fresh citrus taste.
- Add some chocolate chips or raisins to the dough for an extra burst of flavor.

These cheese cookies are not only delicious but also easy to make, making them the perfect recipe for those who want a simple and tasty dessert. Try them and enjoy every bite!