Ballokume Elbasani

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 kJ
• Fat: 5g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 17g (Sugar: 9g)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
6. 6.
   Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. 7.
   Take small portions of the dough and shape them into round balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
8. 8.
   Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange zest — Make sure to wash the orange thoroughly before zesting it. Use a fine grater or a zester to remove only the outer orange layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can dust the cooled Ballokume Elbasani with powdered sugar before serving.
• If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract to the dough.
• Ballokume Elbasani can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Serving advice

Serve Ballokume Elbasani with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for sharing with friends and family during festive occasions.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Ballokume Elbasani on a decorative platter or in a cookie jar to showcase their golden-brown color. You can also sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch.