Spiced Cookie Wheels Recipe
Introduction
These spiced cookie wheels are a delightful treat combining warm spices and zesty citrus flavors. Crisp on the outside with a delicate almond coating, they’re perfect for teatime or sharing during the holidays.
Ingredients
- 80g butter
- 30g light brown soft sugar
- 80g caster sugar
- 3 tbsp double cream
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ lemon, zested
- ½ orange, zested
- 180g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground coriander seeds
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- About 80g flaked almonds
- About 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, beat the butter with both sugars until the mixture is pale and creamy.
- Step 2: Stir in the double cream, egg yolk, lemon zest, and orange zest until fully combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the plain flour with ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, ground coriander, ground cloves, freshly grated nutmeg, bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt.
- Step 4: Add the flour and spice mixture to the butter mixture and bring the dough together with your hands until smooth.
- Step 5: Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step 6: Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan) or gas mark 4. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment.
- Step 7: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 2mm thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out cookies and press patterns onto each round with the base of a glass.
- Step 8: Pour the flaked almonds onto a plate. Brush the underside of each biscuit lightly with milk and dip into the almonds to coat.
- Step 9: Place the biscuits almond-side down on the baking parchment. If the dough has softened, chill the shaped biscuits in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
- Step 10: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, toast the flaked almonds lightly before coating the cookies.
- If you prefer a less spicy flavor, reduce the amount of cloves and cardamom slightly.
- Try using different nuts such as chopped pistachios or hazelnuts for a unique twist.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of chai tea or mulled wine during colder months.
Storage
Store the spiced cookie wheels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep them crisp, avoid refrigerating. If needed, reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared and chilled for up to 24 hours before rolling out and baking. Just keep it well wrapped in the refrigerator.
What if I don’t have all the spices?
You can simplify the spice mix to cinnamon and nutmeg if needed, though using the full blend creates the best flavor complexity.
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Spiced Cookie Wheels Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully spiced cookie wheels infused with warm aromatic spices and a zesty citrus kick, coated with crunchy flaked almonds for a perfect balance of flavor and texture. These biscuits are easy to prepare and bake, making them a wonderful treat for tea time or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 80g butter
- 30g light brown soft sugar
- 80g caster sugar
- 3 tbsp double cream
- 1 egg yolk
- about 2 tbsp milk
Dry Ingredients
- 180g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground coriander seeds
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ lemon, zested
- ½ orange, zested
Toppings
- about 80g flaked almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Beat the butter with both the light brown soft sugar and caster sugar in a bowl until the mixture is pale and creamy. Then add the double cream, egg yolk, and citrus zests from lemon and orange, mixing until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the plain flour with all the ground spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, coriander seeds, cloves, nutmeg), bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt to distribute the spices evenly.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the spiced flour mixture to the wet ingredients and bring together with your hands to form a cohesive dough. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat and prepare for shaping: Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 2mm thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out cookie shapes, then press decorative patterns into each cookie’s top using the base of a glass.
- Coat with almonds: Pour the flaked almonds onto a plate. Brush the underside of each cookie lightly with milk, then press the milk-coated side into the flaked almonds to achieve a good coating. Place the cookies almond side down on the prepared parchment.
- Chill before baking: If the dough softens during shaping, chill the cookies in the fridge for another 30 minutes to help them maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan oven, gas mark 4). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- Cool and store: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days, maintaining their crisp texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh citrus zest for the best flavor impact.
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.
- The mix of spices can be adjusted to personal preference, but keep the balance to maintain the characteristic warm flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and the cream with a suitable non-dairy cream.
- The cookies keep well in an airtight container but are best enjoyed within three days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: spiced cookies, almond cookies, citrus zest cookies, festive biscuits, easy baking recipe
