Cookie Recipes - French Almond Parcels Recipe

  
 

Nut and Spice Cookie Recipes - French Almond Parcels

 

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/3 cups/200 g all­purpose/plain flour

  • 1/3 cup/50 g cornstarch/corn flour

  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/8 tsp salt

  • 1/3 cup/70 g granulated sugar

  • 1 tbsp vanilla sugar

  • 1 tsp orange zest

  • 3/4 cup/180 g butter, cut up

  • 1 large egg

  • Milk, to brush  

FILLING:

  • 1 cup/150 g finely ground almonds

  • 1/3 cup/70 g brown sugar

  • Grated zest and juice of 1 orange 

ORANGE GLAZE:

  • 2/3 cup/100 g confectioners'/icing sugar

  • 1 tbsp orange juice

  • 2-3 tsp hot water

Method:

  1. Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the granulated and vanilla sugars and the orange zest.

  2. Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a fork to mix in the egg to form a smooth dough.

  3. Press the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Set out two cookie sheets. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch (3 mm).

  4. Use a 2-inch (5-cm) cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and continue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used.

  5. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the cookie sheets, placing them 2 inches (5 cm) apart.

  6. Filling: Mix the almonds, brown sugar, and orange zest and juice in a small bowl. Drop 1/2 teaspoon of the filling onto one half of each cookie.

  7. Fold half of the cookie over the filling to make a crescent-shaped pocket. Use a fork to seal the edges together and brush with a little milk. Set aside for 30 minutes.

  8. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/gas 4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until just golden at the edges. Transfer to racks to cool.

  9. Orange Glaze: Mix the confectioners' sugar with the orange juice. Add enough water to make a runny glaze. Drizzle over the cookies.