Islands

Delicious cookies with cocoa cream and chocolate glaze

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Chilling time: 45 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 24 cookies

In a world full of sweets, cookies with cocoa cream and chocolate glaze shine like sweet jewels, full of flavor and texture. This dessert is an excellent choice for Easter celebrations, but can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Cookies with delicious filling and melted chocolate are not only a treat for the taste buds but also an opportunity to showcase your culinary skills.

A bit of history about cookies: The origins of these crunchy delights are lost in the mists of time. They are believed to have been first made as a way to test ovens, and over the centuries, each culture has contributed its own recipes and ingredients. Today, cookies are symbols of conviviality and joy, often gifted to loved ones.

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 150 g cold butter (choose good quality butter for a richer taste)
- 3 egg yolks (at room temperature, for better incorporation)
- 100 g powdered sugar (for a fine sweetness)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (adds a pleasant aroma)
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar (helps activate the baking powder)
- 3 tablespoons of cold water (helps with dough kneading)
- 300-350 g flour (type 000 or 550, for a finer texture)

For the cocoa cream:
- 150 g butter (at room temperature)
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons cocoa (make sure it's high quality for an intense flavor)
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon rum (optional, but adds a pleasant fragrance)

For the glaze:
- 90 g chocolate (choose dark or milk chocolate, depending on preference)
- 25 ml liquid cream

Preparation:

Step 1: Prepare the dough
Start by creaming the cold butter with the powdered sugar in a large bowl, using a spatula or mixer. You will achieve a fluffy mixture. Then add the egg yolks one at a time, continuing to mix. Follow with the vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, baking powder activated with vinegar, cold water, and finally, the flour.

Step 2: Knead the dough
Quickly knead the dough until the flour is fully incorporated. Don't worry if the dough seems a bit crumbly; this is normal. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes. This step is essential for achieving tender cookies.

Step 3: Shape the cookies
Once the dough has chilled, sprinkle a work surface with flour. Roll out the dough to about 0.4-0.5 cm thick. Use a small glass to cut circles from the dough. Place the circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. You will get about 24 cookies. Chill the tray for another 10-15 minutes to ensure the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Step 4: Bake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, being careful not to brown them too much; they should be lightly golden. Once baked, let them cool on a wire rack.

Step 5: Prepare the cream
Meanwhile, you can prepare the cocoa cream. Cream the butter at room temperature with the powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, then the cocoa and rum. Continue mixing until you achieve a smooth and delicious cream.

Step 6: Assemble
Spread the cream on half of the cookies, then cover them with the other halves. This will create a delicious cookie sandwich, perfect for glazing.

Step 7: Glaze
For the glaze, melt the chocolate together with the liquid cream in a bain-marie or in the microwave, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Once the chocolate is fully melted and homogenized, let it cool slightly.

Step 8: Finalize
Dip each cookie halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Place the cookies on a platter and refrigerate to allow the glaze to set.

Step 9: Serve
Your cookies are now ready to be served! You can store them in a sealed box to keep them even fresher. These cookies are perfect alongside a cup of tea or coffee.

Personal suggestion: If you want to give them a unique touch, you can add some ground nuts to the cocoa cream or use white chocolate for the glaze.

Nutritional benefits:
These cookies are high in calories due to the butter and sugar, so enjoy them in moderation. The butter provides healthy fats, while cocoa brings antioxidants. It’s a dessert that, despite its caloric content, can be enjoyed as a small reward from time to time.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While possible, butter provides a richer taste and a more pleasant texture.
2. How can I keep the cookies fresh longer?
Storing them in a sealed box in a cool place will keep them tender.
3. Can I replace the egg yolks with whole eggs?
Not recommended, as the yolks contribute to the texture and moisture of the cookies.

These cookies with cocoa cream and chocolate glaze are not only a simple recipe but also an excellent way to bring a touch of joy to your days. Try them and enjoy every bite!