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Pomeranzen

By
Andrew Chase
  • Kid-friendly
  • Heart-healthy
  • Low calorie
  • Vegetarian
Germany has a strong tradition of baking Christmas cookies, and these orange and hazelnut bites are one of scores of fabulous cookies that have been made for generations. Like Swiss Lemon Butter Cookies, they have a nice homemade look. These cookies were originally made with the candied peel of bitter oranges (Seville oranges). And in German, pomeranzen means bitter orange. Hence the name.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup  (250 mL)  roasted hazelnuts
  • 2 oranges
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  granulated sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  diced candied orange rind or mixed citrus fruit
  • 2 cups  (500 mL)  all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp  (1 mL)  baking powder
  • 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  icing sugar

Preparation

In food processor, grind half of the hazelnuts to slightly coarse texture (a little coarser than coarse salt). Using back of knife, break remaining nuts into large chunks. Grate the rind from the oranges; juice 1 orange. Set aside.

In bowl and using mixer, beat yolks, granulated sugar and salt until creamy and very light in colour, about 5 minutes. Beat in grated orange rind and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the orange juice; beat in butter. Mix in candied rind. In bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Mix into egg mixture just until well incorporated. Form dough into two 1-1/2-inch (4 cm) logs. Spread ground nuts on work surface. Roll dough in nuts to coat entirely. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.

Slice dough into 1/4-inch (5 mm) thick slices. Place on parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 350F (180C) convection oven or 375F (190C) conventional oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until golden-brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to rack. In small bowl, mix icing sugar with 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the orange juice to make a thick glaze, adding more juice if necessary. With small spatula, spread glaze over warm cookies and top with 2 or 3 hazelnut chunks. Let cool. (Make-ahead: Store in covered container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.)

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

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