Chocolate Sticks

Chocolate Sticks – a savory and easy-to-make dessert

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Number of servings: 20 sticks

Who doesn’t love a delicious dessert that brings a smile to our faces? Today we will prepare chocolate sticks, a delightful treat perfect for any time of the day, whether it’s an energizing breakfast, an office snack, or a festive dessert. These cookies are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with an intense chocolate flavor and a subtle almond aroma.

A bit of history:
Chocolate sticks have become popular in various cultures as an easy-to-make dessert, often served at family gatherings and celebrations. They can be customized with different flavors and ingredients, making them perfectly adaptable to everyone’s tastes.

Necessary ingredients:
- 150 g butter (make sure it’s soft, at room temperature, for easy mixing)
- 120 g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar (for an extra flavor boost)
- 225 g flour
- 50 g ground almonds (you can also use hazelnuts or walnuts, depending on your preferences)
- 50 g dark chocolate (choose a quality chocolate for a more intense flavor)
- 30 g cocoa (high-quality cocoa will make a noticeable difference)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg yolk (for a richer texture)

Step by step – Your guide to perfect sticks:

1. Preparing the butter cream:
In a large bowl, add the soft butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Use a mixer to combine them at medium speed until the mixture becomes creamy and homogeneous. This step is essential for getting airy and delicious cookies.

2. Incorporating the egg yolk:
Add the egg yolk, continuing to mix until fully incorporated. The yolk contributes to the richness of the dough and gives it a pleasant texture.

3. Mixing the dry ingredients:
In another bowl, mix the flour with the ground almonds, cocoa, baking powder, and grated chocolate. Make sure the ingredients are well combined before adding them to the butter cream to avoid lumps.

4. Combining the ingredients:
Incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the butter cream. You can use a spatula or a wooden spoon to gently mix until the composition becomes a homogeneous dough. It’s important not to mix too much to maintain the light texture of the cookies.

5. Resting the dough:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This will firm up the dough and make it easier to shape.

6. Shaping the sticks:
After the dough has rested, take it out of the refrigerator. Break off pieces of dough and shape them into strings, about the thickness of a finger. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to allow for expansion during baking.

7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium heat). Bake the sticks for about 15 minutes or until they turn slightly golden at the edges. Be careful not to leave them too long, as we want them to remain soft inside.

8. Cooling:
Once baked, remove the sticks from the oven and let them cool on a rack. This step is crucial for keeping their crispy and delicious texture.

9. Serving:
The sticks can be served plain, but if you want to add a touch of elegance, you can glaze them with melted chocolate or sprinkle them with powdered sugar.

Useful tips:
- Always choose quality ingredients, especially chocolate and cocoa, for an exquisite taste.
- If you prefer a more intense almond flavor, you can replace some of the flour with almond flour.
- These sticks can be stored well in an airtight container for a few days, but they are just as delicious and fresh!

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
- Yes, but keep in mind that this will slightly change the flavor profile, making it sweeter.

2. What can I do if the dough is too sticky?
- You can add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much, as the cookies may lose their soft texture.

3. How can I customize the recipe?
- Add flavors like cinnamon or almond extract, or you can replace almonds with walnuts or hazelnuts.

4. What can I serve the chocolate sticks with?
- They pair perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee, but also with a glass of fresh milk or a refreshing smoothie.

I hope this chocolate stick recipe has whetted your appetite and inspired you to start cooking! Whether you prepare them for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, these cookies are sure to bring joy to your home. Enjoy!