Croatian Raisin Cookies

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 50g (½ cup) raisins 50g (½ cup) raisins
• 25g (¼ cup) ground almonds 25g (¼ cup) ground almonds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 6g (3.5g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 15g (8g 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.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and salt.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
6. 6.
   Fold in the raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. 7.
   Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, then place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
8. 8.
   Gently press down on each cookie to flatten slightly.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Raisins — Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before using to plump them up and prevent them from drying out during baking.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cookie dough.
• If you prefer a softer texture, slightly underbake the cookies by reducing the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
• Feel free to substitute the raisins with other dried fruits such as cranberries or chopped apricots.
• To make the cookies more festive, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top before serving.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve these Croatian Raisin Cookies alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They also make a wonderful addition to holiday cookie platters or as a sweet ending to a Croatian-inspired meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter or a rustic wooden board for a charming presentation. Dust them with powdered sugar or garnish with a few extra raisins for an elegant touch.