Syrup-soaked crescent moons

Syrupy Half Moons

Welcome to our kitchen, where today I will share with you the delicious recipe for syrupy half moons, a quick and simple dessert that will bring a smile to anyone's face. These fluffy cookies, soaked in syrup and covered with coconut, are perfect to enjoy with a coffee or to be given as a sweet gift to loved ones. Let's get started!

Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Baking time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 45-50 minutes
- Number of servings: 24 half moons

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 4 large eggs
- 8 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of oil (sunflower or canola oil is ideal for a neutral taste)
- 10 tablespoons of milk (you can use whole milk for a richer texture)
- 1 packet of baking powder (about 10 g)
- 1 vanilla essence (or alternatively, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- 10 tablespoons of flour (type 000 flour is best for a fluffy dough)

For the syrup:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- Juice from 1/2 lemon (you can adjust to taste)
- 1 vanilla essence

For decoration:
- 100 g of grated coconut (you can also use almond flour for a different flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. Separating the eggs: In a large bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Make sure the bowl is clean and free of grease; otherwise, the egg whites will not whip well.

2. Whipping the egg whites: Using a mixer, beat the egg whites until they form a foam. Gradually add the 8 tablespoons of sugar, continuing to mix until you achieve a firm and glossy meringue.

3. Adding the yolks: Gently incorporate the beaten yolks, oil, milk, and vanilla essence into the meringue, mixing with a spatula to avoid losing air from the mixture.

4. Incorporating the dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder. Gradually incorporate this mixture into the wet composition, stirring gently until you obtain a homogeneous dough.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking tray with oil and dust it with flour. Pour the dough into the tray and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the dough is golden and passes the toothpick test.

Step 2: Preparing the syrup
1. Boiling the syrup: In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Let it boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).

2. Adding flavors: Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice and vanilla essence. If you prefer a more sour taste, feel free to add the juice from a whole lemon. Let the syrup cool slightly.

Step 3: Cutting and assembling the half moons
1. Cooling the dough: Once the dough has completely cooled, use a round cutter or a glass with a sharper edge to cut half moons from the dough. Place them on a platter.

2. Soaking the half moons: Take each half moon and quickly dip it into the warm syrup, ensuring it is well covered, then roll it in the grated coconut. Place them back on the platter to dry.

Practical Tips
- Keeping fresh: Syrupy half moons keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them without syrup and soak them before serving.

- Variations: For a touch of originality, try adding a few drops of almond essence to the dough or replacing the coconut with cocoa powder for a chocolate version.

- Serving: These half moons are delicious alongside a cup of coffee or tea. They can also be served with vanilla ice cream, providing a fantastic contrast.

Nutritional Benefits
These syrupy half moons, while sweet, also offer some nutritional benefits. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and vitamins, especially vitamin D, while coconut contains healthy fats that can help improve heart health. However, it is best to consume them in moderation, considering the sugar content.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use whole grain flour? Yes, you can replace part of the flour with whole grain flour, but the texture will be denser.

- How can I make this dessert gluten-free? Use a gluten-free flour, such as almond flour or rice flour, but check proportions to achieve a similar texture.

- Can fruits be added? Absolutely! You can add some pieces of dried or fresh fruit to the dough for an extra flavor boost.

Now that you have discovered the recipe for syrupy half moons, you are ready to prepare them! Don't forget to enjoy every step of the process and share the result with your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!