Spritz cookies

Piped Cookies

Piped cookies are a classic delicacy, cherished by generations, that brings a touch of childhood nostalgia with every bite. These cookies, with their distinct shape and crunchy texture, are perfect to enjoy alongside a cup of tea or coffee, but also to be offered as a sweet snack on various occasions. Below, I will present a detailed recipe so you can make perfect piped cookies at home.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 30 cookies

Ingredients:
- 200 g butter (make sure it is at room temperature but not melted)
- 200 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 500 g all-purpose flour (preferably type 000)
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder

Step by step:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. The butter should be soft but not melted. If you want to speed up this process, you can cut the butter into cubes and let it soften for 15 minutes.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the soft butter and sugar. Use a fork to mix them well. This step is essential to avoid warming the butter with your hands, which could affect the final texture of the cookies. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly frothy.

3. Adding the egg: Add the egg to the mixture and mix again with the fork until fully incorporated. The egg will add moisture and help the cookies bind.

4. Incorporating the dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is important to avoid lumps in the dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture, mixing gently with the fork. You will notice that the dough becomes denser.

5. Chilling the dough: Once the dough is homogeneous, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This step will help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

6. Preparing for shaping: After the dough has chilled, take it out and prepare the manual meat grinder. Make sure you have attached the special device for cookies. It is important to work with small portions of dough to avoid overheating it.

7. Shaping the cookies: Take a small portion of dough (about the size of a walnut) and put it in the grinder. Press gently to obtain the desired shapes – you can create sticks or rings. Continue shaping the cookies, placing them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

8. Baking the cookies: Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium heat). Place the tray with cookies in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. It is important not to open the oven door in the first 15 minutes of baking to allow the cookies to rise properly.

9. Cooling the cookies: Once the cookies are baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack. This will help maintain their crunchy texture.

Useful tips:
- If you want more flavorful cookies, you can add a bit of vanilla or lemon zest to the butter mixture.
- These cookies can be decorated with powdered sugar immediately after they have cooled, or you can drizzle melted chocolate on top for an extra touch of flavor.
- Piped cookies store excellently in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutritional benefits:
These cookies contain butter, which provides healthy fats, but it is good to know that they are also quite caloric. Each cookie has about 80-100 calories, depending on size and additional ingredients used. Additionally, the all-purpose flour used is a source of carbohydrates, and sugar adds sweetness, but in moderation, these cookies can be part of a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use margarine instead of butter? Yes, but the texture and flavor may vary.
- Can I freeze the cookies? Yes, piped cookies can be frozen before baking. You can shape them and place them on a tray, then freeze them. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a bag and bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- What drinks pair well with piped cookies? A cup of black tea, coffee, or a latte are excellent combinations. Additionally, a glass of cold milk is a classic choice that will enhance the flavor of the cookies.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to gather the ingredients and start the adventure of making these piped cookies! Each bite will be an explosion of flavor and a moment of joy, whether you enjoy them alone or with loved ones. Enjoy!