Antwerpse Handjes Cookies

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 200g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 13g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.03g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. 2.
   Add the ground almonds and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until well combined.
3. 3.
   Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
4. 4.
   Shape the dough into small hand shapes, about 5cm (2 inches) long, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
6. 6.
   Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown around the edges.
7. 7.
   Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the best texture. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract in addition to the vanilla extract.
• If you prefer a sweeter cookie, you can increase the amount of granulated sugar to your taste.
• To achieve a consistent hand shape, you can use a cookie cutter in the shape of a hand or mold the dough around a hand-shaped template.

Serving advice

Serve Antwerpse Handjes with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also a lovely addition to a dessert platter or as a homemade gift.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Antwerpse Handjes on a decorative platter, dusted with powdered sugar. You can also place them in small paper cups or wrap them in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for a charming presentation.