Soft cookies

Soft lemon and honey cookies

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 20 cookies

Welcome to the world of pastry delights! Today, I will guide you step by step in creating soft, fragrant cookies that will bring a smile to anyone's face. These cookies are not just a quick and simple dessert, but also a wonderful way to add a touch of sweetness to every day. Let's begin our culinary journey!

A brief history of cookies

Cookies have a long history, enjoyed for centuries around the world. They have evolved over time, adapting to local tastes and available ingredients. Today's recipe is a combination of traditional influences, with butter, honey, and eggs as the main ingredients, providing a soft texture and inviting aroma.

Ingredients needed

- 1 package of butter (about 200 g), at room temperature
- 1 cup of honey (about 200 g)
- 2 chicken eggs
- 1 cup of milk, slightly warmed
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 sachets of vanilla sugar
- 300 g of white flour
- 1 packet of baking powder
- A handful of Turkish delight, nuts, or crushed almonds (optional, for decoration)

Step by step: Preparing the cookies

1. Preparing the wet mixture: In a large bowl, start by mixing the soft butter with the honey. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to achieve a creamy composition. This step is essential to incorporate air into the dough, making your cookies incredibly fluffy.

2. Adding the eggs: Add the two eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The eggs will bind the ingredients and give a pleasant texture to the cookies.

3. Incorporating the warm milk: Pour the warm milk into the butter and honey mixture. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous paste. This step adds moisture and richness to your dough.

4. Mixing the dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. It is important to mix these ingredients well to ensure the baking powder is evenly distributed in the dough.

5. Combining the ingredients: Add the flour mixture to the wet paste and start mixing gently with a spatula. Do not overmix, as the cookies will become tough. When the ingredients are almost incorporated, add the vanilla sugar and lemon zest for a fresh and aromatic flavor.

6. Resting the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step will help firm up the dough, making it easier to shape.

7. Shaping the cookies: After the dough has been in the refrigerator, remove it and roll it out on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it out evenly, then cut out the desired shapes using cookie cutters. If you want to add a splash of color and texture, you can place a cube of Turkish delight, as well as nuts or crushed almonds on each cookie.

8. Preparing the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them, as they will expand during baking.

9. Baking: Bake the cookies for 30 minutes or until they are golden around the edges. The aroma that will spread in the kitchen will be irresistible!

10. Cooling: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. This will allow air to circulate, keeping their soft texture.

Serving suggestions

These soft cookies are perfect to be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or aromatic coffee. You can serve them with warm chocolate sauce or vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast. A personal idea is to pair them with a salted caramel sauce, which will add a decadent touch.

Nutritional benefits and calories

These cookies are a healthier choice due to the use of honey instead of refined sugar, providing a natural source of energy. Each cookie has approximately 120 calories, and the ingredients bring nutritional benefits, such as healthy fats from butter and protein from eggs.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another sweetener instead of honey? Yes, you can use maple syrup or brown sugar, but the taste will vary.

2. What type of flour is best for these cookies? White flour is ideal, but you can also experiment with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.

3. How can I keep the cookies fresh? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft texture.

4. Can I freeze the cookies? Yes, the cookies can be successfully frozen. Make sure they are completely cooled before placing them in freezer bags.

5. Are there variations of the recipe? Absolutely! You can add chocolate chips, dried fruits, or spices like cinnamon to customize the recipe.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to try this simple and delicious recipe for soft cookies. Whether you make them for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, these cookies will bring you joy and satisfaction. Enjoy!