Peaches

I invite you to travel to the sweet land of memories with a recipe that combines the nostalgia of childhood with the delicious aroma of filled cookies, known as "peach-shaped cookies." These cookies are perfect for serving with coffee or at a festive table, bringing a smile to everyone's face. Let's discover together how to prepare them step by step!

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 20-24 cookies

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 3 whole eggs
- 1 cup oil
- 1 cup sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 packet of vanilla (or a teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 1 packet of baking powder
- 450-500 g flour

For the filling:
- 200 g butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons sugar (plus for decoration)
- 100 g ground nuts
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 3/4 of the insides of the cookies removed

For decoration:
- Cooked beet juice (for coloring)

Step by step

1. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, start by mixing the eggs with the sugar, oil, salt, and vanilla. Use an electric mixer to achieve a homogeneous and fluffy mixture. This step is essential for incorporating air into the dough, which will help the cookies be light and delicate.

2. Combining dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the egg mixture, gently mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon. Knead the dough well until it becomes homogeneous and easy to shape. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.

3. Chilling the dough
Form a ball from the dough, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to shape later.

4. Shaping the cookies
After the dough has chilled, take a piece of dough the size of a walnut and form small balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to bake evenly. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, until they become lightly golden.

5. Cooling the cookies
After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a rack. At this moment, the aroma will fill the entire room, evoking lovely childhood memories.

6. Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Mix the butter at room temperature with the sugar until creamy. Add the cocoa, rum, ground nuts, and 3/4 of the insides of the cookies that you previously removed. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition.

7. Filling the cookies
After the cookies have completely cooled, take a teaspoon or the end of a large spoon and carefully remove the insides of the cookies, being careful not to crumble them. Fill each cookie with the butter and nut mixture, then stick two cookies together.

8. Decorating
To give them a touch of color and a sweet-sour taste, dip the cookies in beet juice and then in granulated sugar. This decorating technique not only makes them more appealing but also adds a splash of originality.

Useful tips
- Ingredients: Use fresh eggs and quality butter to achieve a rich and delicious filling. If you wish, you can experiment with different types of nuts (almonds, hazelnuts) to add varied flavor nuances.
- Storage: The cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them.
- Variations: You can replace cocoa with melted chocolate or add a splash of orange essence for a citrus flavor.

Nutritional benefits
These cookies are not just a sweet treat but also contain valuable nutrients. Nuts are an excellent source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, contributing to heart and brain health. Additionally, by adding beet, you bring antioxidants and essential vitamins into your diet.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, you can replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour for an extra fiber boost.
2. What can I use instead of rum? You can use vanilla extract or even another type of alcohol, such as brandy, to diversify the flavors.
3. How can I make the cookies less sweet? By reducing the amount of sugar in the filling or choosing a butter with reduced sugar content, you can control the sweetness.

Serving and combinations
These cookies are ideal alongside a cup of black coffee or a fragrant tea. You can create a platter of assorted cookies, combining the peach-shaped cookies with other pastries to impress your guests. Additionally, vanilla ice cream or warm chocolate sauce would perfectly complement this dessert.

In conclusion, making these filled cookies is not only a pleasant activity but also a fantastic way to bring joy to your loved ones. With each bite, you will feel that you have brought a touch of your childhood memories to the plate. I wish you success in the kitchen and, above all, to enjoy every moment spent cooking!