Cornmeal Cookies - Zaletti

 Every time we go to the store that sells the produce from the hills, I am tempted to buy water mill crushed fresh cornmeal that is coarse and smells like heaven. I have already used a lot of it in Wholewheat and maize bread, Anadama bread, and Overnight cornmeal rolls. I have started liking its strong flavour and texture. It imparts a unique, its own kind of taste to the bakes it is used in. Perhaps it is the love for the hills or having our roots in the hills that  translates into love for anything that is grown in the salubrious weather of the hills.
Having procured another pack, I wanted to use it in cookies, which I had discovered long back in David Lebovitz's site. David’s site is full of treasures for those who love bakes, chocolates and ice creams. 
The cornmeal cookies were delicious and came out well. However, there are small proportions that always need adjustments to tune the recipe to individual liking or taste.

David’s recipe asks for ¾ cup of raisins. In my case, the raisins started popping out of the cookies in the final stages of baking. In the next batch, I used just ½ cup of raisins that worked fine. I used salted butter so reduced the quantity of salt from ¾ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon. Also, the cookies should be thin and evenly spread. Bake the cookies exactly for 12 minutes or when the cookies start changing colour, turn off the oven. I did not freeze the dough. I just chilled it. I would recommend that you visit David’s site and read the original version.

Cookie Dough

This is how I made cornmeal cookies.  
Cornmeal Cookies - Zaletti
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 cup coarse cornmeal
½ cup and 1 ½ tablespoons powdered sugar  
155g butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins
1 tablespoons flour
Method
Toss raisins in flour and keep aside.
Beat butter and sugar till creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla essence. Mix well.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.
Mix dry ingredients into butter sugar mixture. Mix well. Add raisins.
Keep the dough in the refrigerator and chill for an hour.
Pinch pieces of dough about the size of walnut, roll into ball and flatten them.
The cookies should be thin and placed with some distance between them.
Bake the cookies in a pre heated oven at 170 degrees C for 12 minutes or when the cookies just begin to change colour on top.
Remove from the oven. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Linking to Bake Fest #21 conceptualized by Vardhini and hosted by Sweet 'n' Savoury




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7 comments:

  1. These look absolutely wonderful! Did they have good texture with using the cornmeal? Sort of like adding almonds to things, I would image they give a nice crunch :). I have a vitamix high speed blender with a grain grinding goblet. I wonder if I could process dried corn in it along with grains? I might have to experiment after this wonderful post :). Thankyou again for sharing and I love David's site. I subscribe to his blog in my RSS Feed Reader. Great minds think alike as my grandmother used to say ;)

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  2. I love David's recipes and his blog is truly a treasure trove for baking maniacs like us:):) Loved the cookies and the bits of raisins in it. Thank you again for linking such an amazing recipe.

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  3. They have turned out very well...am sure this will be so crunchy to munch

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  4. Your usage of cornmeal makes me want to try them out soon Namita. I have never cooked with cornmeal, but have a packet in my pantry. I had purchased it few days back hoping to make makki ki roti, but I guess i will end up baking something with it :)

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  5. truly yummy cookies n too tempting:)

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  6. what would the indian term for cornmeal be?

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    Replies
    1. hello! Cornmeal is makki ka atta. It is commonlyavailable in the stores.

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