Baking Classics
The Technique
Sablé Cookies
Handcrafted French butter cookies are irresistible sweets & some of the easiest to prepare from scratch. Although they are generally simple in nature, sablés may be dressed a number of ways to elevate lovely spring entertaining celebrations. This particular shortbread offers wonderful texture by using cake flour in place of all purpose plus a combination of granulated & powdered sugar. Diamond Sablés have a beautiful design element that may be achieved by creating a pattern with a small cutter. Organize them on heirloom silver trays for a fresh, modern look. Learn how to make this iconic French cookie style.
Diamond Sablés
makes 1 dozen
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 1/4 cups cake flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Cream the butter & the sugar on Medium speed with a stand mixer until light & airy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stop the mixer occasionally & scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the egg yolk, the lemon juice & the vanilla bean paste. Mix the dough just until blended. Whisk together the flour & the salt in a small bowl. Add to the butter mixture & blend just until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc & wrap with plastic. Chill 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Roll small portions of the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut 3 1/8-inch round shapes from the dough & place 1-inch apart on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans. Re-roll the dough scraps & repeat the process. Chill the pan 10 minutes. Cut 4 {1 x 1/2-inch} diamond shapes from each cookie forming a pattern. If the dough becomes soft during the process, chill the pan briefly to ensure crisp, neat cuts. Chill the pan 10 minutes. Bake, in batches, on the center oven rack 16 to 18 minutes or just until color begins to form around the cookie edges. They will be pale in color on the surface & golden on the bottom. Cool completely.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Sablé Cookies
Sablé cookie dough is best when rolled & cut well chilled. Return the dough to the refrigerator during the entire cutting & shaping process as necessary to produce the most crisp look. The dough may also be shaped into logs & rolled in coarse sugar. Chill several hours until very firm, then slice 1/4-inch pieces & bake as directed for a streamlined procedure.
The Technique
A few pieces of equipment will be needed in order to complete the task. Read through the recipe instructions before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Roll small portions of the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut 3 1/8-inch round shapes from the dough & place 1-inch apart on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans. Re-roll the dough scraps & repeat the process.
No. 2
Chill the pan 10 minutes. Cut 4 {1 x 1/2-inch} diamond shapes from each cookie forming a pattern.
No. 3
If the dough becomes soft during the process, chill the pan briefly to ensure crisp, neat cuts. Chill the pan 10 minutes.
No. 4
Bake, in batches, on the center oven rack 16 to 18 minutes or just until color begins to form around the cookie edges. They will be pale in color on the surface & golden on the bottom. Cool completely.
The Tune
“They Say” Helen Forrest
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Be sweet.
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