Kalburabastı - Turkish Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) ground almonds 1/2 cup (50g) ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, for dusting 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 8g (4g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 11g (5g sugars)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the orange blossom water and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the flour and ground almonds to the mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. 5.
   Take small portions of the dough and shape them into small balls.
6. 6.
   Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
7. 7.
   Gently press each dough ball through the tines of a fork or a kalbur (wooden mold) to create a lattice pattern.
8. 8.
   Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
10. 10.
    Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Use finely ground almonds for a smooth texture in the cookie dough.
• Orange blossom water — Adjust the amount of orange blossom water according to your preference for a subtle or stronger floral flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier texture, bake the cookies for a few extra minutes until they are golden brown.
• For a variation, you can add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon to the dough for a warm and aromatic twist.
• If you don't have a kalbur (wooden mold), you can use a fork to create a simple crisscross pattern on the cookies.
• Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness.
• Serve these delightful cookies with a cup of Turkish tea for a truly authentic experience.

Serving advice

Serve Kalburabastı as a delightful sweet treat alongside a cup of Turkish tea or coffee. Arrange them on a decorative platter for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal, dust the cookies with a generous amount of powdered sugar just before serving. You can also garnish the platter with a few whole almonds or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of elegance.