Spritz cookies

Piped Cookies: An Easy Treat for Delightful Mornings

Piped cookies are a wonderful choice for an elegant breakfast or a sweet snack alongside a fragrant coffee. This simple and quick recipe will help you create a delicious dessert, perfect for impressing your family or friends. With accessible ingredients and an easy preparation method, you will discover a way to bring a touch of joy to every morning.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 20-25 cookies

Essential Ingredients

- 230 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g cream cheese (preferably fresh cheese)
- 110 g sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 400 g flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for a warm and comforting flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for a pleasant contrast)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence (or natural extract)
- Grated zest of one lemon (for a touch of freshness)
- A few crushed cloves (optional, for a more complex flavor)
- Other preferred flavors (e.g., nutmeg or cardamom)

Preparing Piped Cookies

1. Start with Quality Ingredients
Ensure that the ingredients are fresh. The butter should be soft but not melted, and the cream cheese should be slightly creamy, with no lumps. These details will make a difference in the final texture of the cookies.

2. Mixing the Ingredients
In a large bowl, add the butter and cream cheese. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix them well until you achieve a creamy composition. Add the sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes fluffy and homogeneous.

3. Adding the Egg Yolk
Add the egg yolk and vanilla essence. These ingredients will not only enrich the flavor of the cookies but will also make the dough richer and more delicate. Mix until fully incorporated.

4. Incorporating the Flour and Spices
Sifting the flour is an important step as it helps to aerate the ingredients and achieve a fine texture. Gradually add the flour, mixing with a spatula or mixer, so that no lumps form. Finally, add the cinnamon, salt, and lemon zest, mixing gently.

5. Chilling the Dough (optional)
Although many prefer to use the dough immediately, one option is to cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This can help firm up the dough, but as mentioned, it is not mandatory.

6. Shaping the Cookies
If you choose to use the dough immediately, prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Use a piping bag to shape the cookies into various forms, such as spirals or zig-zags. If you don’t have a piping bag, don’t worry! You can shape the dough by hand into pretzel shapes or balls.

7. Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the tray in the oven and bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until they become slightly golden around the edges. You can check them from time to time, as each oven may bake differently.

8. Cooling and Serving
Once the cookies are ready, let them cool on a cooling rack. This step is essential as the cookies will maintain their shape and perfect texture. Serve them with a cup of fragrant coffee or tea.

Practical Tips

- Flavor Variations: Don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors! You can add almond essence or even chocolate chips for a decadent touch.
- Storage: The cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze them to enjoy later.
- Creative Serving: For an extra touch of flavor, you can dust the cookies with powdered sugar or glaze them with melted chocolate.

Nutritional Benefits

Piped cookies contain ingredients that contribute to your daily calorie intake, but in moderation, they can be part of a balanced diet. Butter and cream cheese provide healthy fats, while whole flour (if you choose to use it) can add beneficial fiber.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, but the texture and final taste will be different. Butter provides a richer flavor.

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

3. Is the use of cream cheese necessary?
Cream cheese adds a creamy texture, but you can also try other types of fresh cheese.

Conclusion

Piped cookies are a fantastic choice for any time of the day. Their delicate taste, combined with the aroma of cinnamon and lemon, makes them perfect to be enjoyed with loved ones. Whether you choose to make them for a special morning or simply to treat yourself, this recipe will bring smiles and unforgettable moments. Don’t forget to share the joy of cooking with others!