Homemade Cookies

Homemade Cookies – The Delight That Reminds You of Childhood

Who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked cookies? These homemade cookies are a perfect choice for a quick snack, an afternoon spent with family, or even a special occasion. Their delicious taste and crunchy texture will take you back to the joyful moments of childhood. Plus, they are very easy to make and don't require sophisticated ingredients. Let's start our adventure in the kitchen!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rest time: 1 hour
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 30 cookies

Necessary ingredients:

- 150 g granulated sugar
- 350 g wheat flour
- 100 ml vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 50 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 egg
- ½ packet baking powder
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- Orange essence (or other essences of your choice, such as vanilla or almond)

A bit of history about cookies:

Cookies have a fascinating history, being one of the oldest baked goods known to man. Initially, cookies were created as a way to preserve food, and over time they evolved into a variety of shapes and flavors. This simple recipe allows you to enjoy a quick and delicious dessert that you can customize according to your preferences.

Step by step: Making homemade cookies

1. Preparing the dough
Start by taking a large bowl and adding the egg. Whisk the egg with a whisk or mixer until it becomes frothy. This will ensure an airy texture for your cookies.
Add the granulated sugar and continue mixing until completely dissolved. This is the stage where the cookies develop their sweetness.

2. Including wet ingredients
In the same mixture, add the softened butter, sour cream, oil, and essences. Mix well, ensuring that all ingredients are homogenized. If you use orange essence, the aroma will give a fresh note to the cookies.

3. Incorporating dry ingredients
Sifting the flour is essential to avoid lumps. Add the baking powder and flour, mixing gently with a spatula or your hands until you obtain a non-sticky and moldable dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.

4. Resting the dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. This step is crucial as it helps the gluten relax, and the cookies will remain tender and easy to cut.

5. Shaping the cookies
Once the dough has cooled, divide it into two equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough on a floured surface until you obtain a sheet about 5 mm thick. Use a wavy board or a knife to cut out the cookies, giving them the desired shape.

6. Baking the cookies
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them to expand. Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or until they turn golden at the edges. Be careful not to leave them too long, as they can burn quickly.

7. Cooling and serving
Once the cookies are baked, let them cool on a rack. This will make them crunchier. You can serve them plain or decorate them with powdered sugar or melted chocolate for an extra treat.

Useful tips:

- You can add ground nuts or chocolate chips to the dough to create an even tastier version.
- The cookies store well in an airtight container, with a shelf life of up to a week.
- If you want to reduce sugar, you can replace part of it with a natural sweetener, but the taste and texture may change.

Ideal combinations:

These cookies are perfect to enjoy with a warm tea or a flavored coffee. You can also pair them with cream cheese or jam for a more complex taste. Another delicious idea would be to serve them alongside vanilla ice cream – the combination of warm and cold is simply irresistible.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can replace white flour with whole wheat flour, but the cookies will have a slightly different texture.

- What other essences can I use?
In addition to orange essence, you can experiment with almond or lemon essence to obtain various flavors.

- Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, the cookies freeze very well. Make sure they are completely cooled and wrap them in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to get cooking! Homemade cookies are a great way to bring joy and flavor into your home, so enjoy every moment spent in the kitchen. Enjoy your meal!