Croatian-style Serinakaker

Ingredients

In this Croatian adaptation of Serinakaker, we have incorporated traditional Croatian ingredients and flavors to give the cookies a distinct Croatian twist. The original Norwegian recipe uses butter, sugar, flour, and almonds as the main ingredients, while the Croatian version adds a touch of lemon zest and a hint of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile. Additionally, we have replaced the traditional Norwegian almond extract with Croatian almond liqueur, which adds a unique and authentic Croatian taste to the cookies. We alse have the original recipe for Serinakaker, so you can check it out.

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (1 ¼ cups) ground almonds 150g (1 ¼ cups) ground almonds
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon Croatian almond liqueur 1 tablespoon Croatian almond liqueur
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• 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, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the lemon zest, vanilla extract, and Croatian almond liqueur to the butter mixture. Mix well to combine.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the flour and ground almonds to the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
5. 5.
   Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. 6.
   Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a fork, creating a crisscross pattern on the top of each cookie.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for this recipe to achieve the desired texture. You can grind whole almonds in a food processor or use pre-ground almond meal.
• Croatian almond liqueur — If you cannot find Croatian almond liqueur, you can substitute it with regular almond liqueur or almond extract for a similar flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
• If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract in addition to the Croatian almond liqueur.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.

Serving advice

Serve these Croatian-style Serinakaker cookies with a cup of Croatian coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also a great addition to holiday cookie platters or as a homemade gift for friends and family.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter and dust them with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation. You can also place a few whole almonds on top of some cookies for a visually appealing touch.