Sandnøtter - Norwegian Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

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 bowl and mix until well combined.
3. 3.
   Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
4. 4.
   Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Take small portions of the chilled dough and roll them into 2cm (¾ inch) balls.
7. 7.
   Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
8. 8.
   Flatten each ball with a fork, creating a crisscross pattern on the surface.
9. 9.
   Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown around the edges.
10. 10.
    Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
11. 11.
    Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. 12.
    Once cooled, dust the Sandnøtter cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Treat your ingredients with care...

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

Tips & Tricks

• For a variation, you can add a hint of almond extract to intensify the almond flavor.
• If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the amount of granulated sugar in the recipe.
• Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
• To achieve a uniform size and shape, use a cookie scoop or melon baller to portion the dough.
• Store the Sandnøtter cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve Sandnøtter cookies alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. They also make a lovely addition to a cookie platter during festive gatherings.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Sandnøtter cookies on a decorative plate or in a cookie jar. Dust them with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Consider adding a sprig of fresh mint or a few almond slices as garnish.