Cocoa biscuits with jam

Cocoa and Jam Cookies: A Handmade Delight for Any Occasion

If you're looking for a cookie recipe that will delight your taste buds and impress your loved ones, you've come to the right place! These cocoa and jam cookies are a perfect choice to accompany a fragrant coffee or to give as a heartfelt handmade gift. Filled with delicious peach and cantaloupe jam and coated in dark chocolate glaze, these cookies are not only tasty but also easy to make. Let's embark on this culinary adventure together!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour (including cooling time)
Number of servings: 20 cookies

Necessary ingredients:

- 250 g room temperature butter
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 2 eggs
- 50 g dark cocoa
- 300 g flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- a pinch of salt
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 50 g butter for glazing
- Fruit jam (recommended: peach and cantaloupe)
- Nuts for decoration

Useful tips for ingredients:
1. Butter: Choose a high-quality butter with a fat content of at least 80%. This will contribute to the consistency and flavor of the cookies.
2. Powdered sugar: It's essential to use powdered sugar to achieve a smooth and fluffy cream. You can do this at home by grinding granulated sugar in a blender.
3. Cocoa: Choose a good quality cocoa, preferably a natural one, for an intense flavor and rich aroma.

The story behind the recipe:
This cocoa and jam cookie recipe is a combination of tradition and innovation. Cookies have been a popular dessert over time, and adding jam to the filling gives them an extra layer of flavor and an interesting texture. Try to add your personal touch by choosing your favorite jam, and turn them into a special gift for your loved ones.

Preparing the cookies:
1. In a large bowl, add the room temperature butter along with the powdered sugar. Use a mixer to cream the butter and sugar until you achieve a fluffy cream, and the sugar granules are no longer felt.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to achieve a homogeneous mixture.
3. Sift the cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt into the bowl. Gently mix the dry ingredients with the wet ones, combining them until you obtain a soft and pliable dough. If the dough is too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of additional flour, depending on the quality of the butter used.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes to firm up a bit and make it easier to work with.

Shaping and baking the cookies:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place a baking paper on a tray.
2. On a floured work surface, roll out the dough into a sheet about 4-5 mm thick. Work quickly to prevent the dough from warming up too much.
3. Use a round cutter to cut out the cookies, placing them on the prepared tray. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch, but do not let them brown too much.
4. Once done, allow the cookies to cool completely on a rack.

Assembling the cookies:
1. After the cookies have cooled, take a few and spread a thin layer of jam on each cookie. I recommend peach and cantaloupe jam for a pleasant contrast between sweet and tangy.
2. Join two cookies together, forming a delicious sandwich.

Preparing the glaze:
1. In a heat-resistant bowl, place the broken chocolate and butter. Melt them in a bain-marie, stirring constantly to achieve a smooth glaze.
2. Add a pinch of salt to the melted chocolate to enhance its flavor.
3. Use a spoon to put glaze on each assembled cookie, spreading it gently with a knife. Place a piece of nut in the center of each cookie for a rustic decoration and a crunchy note.

Finalizing and serving:
1. Allow the cookies to set for about 30 minutes to let the glaze solidify.
2. The cocoa and jam cookies are now ready to be served! You can keep them in airtight containers in the fridge or in a cool place. They stay well and can be enjoyed for several weeks.

Serving suggestions and combinations:
These cookies pair wonderfully with fragrant coffee or hot tea. You can offer them as a handmade gift, beautifully packaged in cardboard boxes or glass jars.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of jam? Yes, you can replace the peach jam with any other favorite jam: raspberry, strawberry, or even a fruit combination.
- How can I keep the cookies longer? Store them in an airtight container, which will keep them fresh and crunchy.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to start cooking! These are the cocoa and jam cookies that will bring smiles to your face and turn any moment into a celebration of flavors. Enjoy!