DELICIOUS Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread

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HAZELNUT AND CARDAMOM SHORTBREAD dipped in ROSE INFUSED CHOCOLATE:

We do not really celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a cliche’ holiday in my opinion! Restaurants are crowded, although this year it will be outdoor dining in many parts of the country. Do I need a holiday to express my love? I do not think so. But at the same time, I do love the pinks and reds in my Instagram feed these days! They do fill my heart with joy and it makes me want to create something cute too! I have really been overwhelmingly busy with my full time job, homeschooling kids due to this pandemic, which seems never ending(can I have my life back!?), and the book! I received an overwhelming response to where so many people pre-ordered the cookbook and it made me so happy, that a part of me will be in these people’s homes. Something that I have poured by heart and soul into to create and that people will be making it a part of their lives. It is really a wonderful feeling, and I really hope that this book can bring joy to people, as much as it has brought me joy to create this book. I am excited to see the final outcome!

 

So I created this really simple cookie, which can be an anytime cookie really! It is a simple Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread cookie, that is dipped in dark chocolate infused with rose water, and decorated with edible dried rose petals and edible gold leaf for that slight touch of elegance.

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 6 scaled

 

WHERE DO I SOURCE THE INGREDIENTS FROM this HAZELNUT AND CARDAMOM SHORTBREAD?

 

Hazelnuts : Trader Joe’s has roasted hazelnuts that have partially removed skin. I simply used those hazelnuts, and ground them in my Nutribullet mixture. I love the texture and flavor of the ground hazelnuts in this cookie

Cardamom: I sourced it from Diaspora Co where you can purchase whole cardamom pods. You can finely grind the seeds of the cardamom in a coffee grinder and the smell is simply intoxicating

Dark chocolate chips : I used the Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips (60%) which are my favorite. I love eating them as is as a treat!

Rose water : I used to use the Sadaf brand of Rose Water that you get at the Indian store, but recently I switched to Nielsen Massey brand, that I got from Amazon, linked here. The rose water is much more potent, and is not watery like the Sadaf brand. It actually gives a good flavor to the end product, and a little bit goes a long way.

Dried Edible Rose Petals : Suncore Rose Buds are the ones I have used in the past. Linked here. Recently I started using Rose Dose edible dried rose buds/petals. I love the potent fragrance of these dried rose buds, and I simply tear off the petals of the rose bud, leaving the base intact.

Edible Gold Leaf : I bought them from Amazon. I have linked a different brand here, since I am unable to find the original one that I had purchased. A little bit goes a long way. Mine has lasted for quite a while.

Vanilla Extract/paste : Again I use the Nielsen Massey brand. I have been loving their vanilla bean paste. I do buy the biggest bottle, and although it is expensive, it does last me a good 2 years or more. The quality is exceptional and you can taste it in the bakes.

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 5 scaled

 

 

HOW TO MAKE THE HAZELNUT AND CARDAMOM SHORTBREAD COOKIES:

 

The cookies are really simple to make. You first whip the butter and sugar, in a kitchenaid mixer, with a paddle attachment and let it come to a smooth consistency. You could use a hand mixer as well, and a big bowl for this recipe, since it is pretty straightforward. Then we add the vanilla extract and then we add in the dry ingredients, and whisk until combined. The recipe has no eggs as well! The dough is wrapped in a plastic wrap, and stored in the fridge to harden.

 

So that when we take it out of the fridge, it is easier to roll and cut them into perfect little squares. Once the dough hardens after 4+ hours (you can even keep it overnight in the fridge and roll it out the next day), use additional flour, to roll out the dough. The dough may be slightly sticky because of the high butter content, but it rolls out beautifully. You want to roll it to half an inch in thickness, so that when you bite into the shortbread, you get a nice chunk of it. Cut out the squares and place them on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 4 scaled

 

WHY DO I PUT MY PRE-BAKED COOKIES IN THE FREEZER FOR A FEW MINUTES?

 

I put the prebaked cookies in the freezer to set them, and harden them, because I do not want them to spread much in the oven. Bake them in a pre-heated oven for 14 minutes, or until slightly golden brown in color.

 

A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES:

 

Shortbread cookies originated in Scotland. The original Scottish shortbread contains vegetable shortening and butter, whereas Shortbread consists only of butter. No leavening agent such as baking soda or baking powder is used in Shortbread Cookies. The whipping of the butter with the sugar, makes the cookie light and airy and crumbly, and resulting it in expanding slightly in the oven. The ratio in a shortbread cookie is usually is 1:2:3 THAT IS one part confectioner’s sugar : two part unsalted butter : three part all-purpose flour. Here I used a combination of the all-purpose flour and hazelnut flour to make the three part flour. Shortbread cookies are not overtly sweet, and that is why I love them. They are really delicious with some English tea, or even Masala Chai for that matter. That is my favorite way to eat these cookies.

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 1 scaled

 

DECORATION:

 

I love decorating my cookies. I somehow cannot let them sit plain. Decorating has to be my favorite part about baking. I used a mixture of dark chocolate chips, coconut oil and rose water to create this smooth mixture, in which you can dunk your cookies half way through to give it a chocolate and floral elegance. Put a couple of edible rose petals on the top and let the chocolate set on the cookie by either putting it in the freezer, OR you can let them set naturally. Once the chocolate is set, you can jazz them up by putting a tinge of edible gold leaf on it, and make it look really pretty. These cookies will make the perfect treat to share with your loved ones, anytime of the year!

 

These cookies would be so wonderful to share with anyone and brighten their day!

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 3 scaled

 

Other Valentine’s Day Treats that are some of my favorites are :

 

 

Hazelnut and Cardamom Shortbread 2 scaled

 

If you do make these cookies, please do not forget to tag #thejamlab on Instagram and/or leave a comment on this blog post! I would so appreciate it!

 

XO

Amisha

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