In the heart of North Africa lies Algeria, a country renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. Among its culinary treasures are the traditional Algerian sables cookies, known locally as "Sables Algériens" or "Ghribia mchekla". These delightful shortbread cookies are a beloved treat, often served during special occasions and holidays. They are characterized by their crumbly texture, delicate sweetness, and intricate designs, which are reminiscent of the intricate patterns found in traditional Algerian architecture. This article presents a collection of traditional Algerian sables cookie recipes, each with its unique variations and flavors. From the classic plain sables to those adorned with nuts, spices, and colorful sprinkles, these recipes offer a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of Algeria. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your baking journey, these recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of Algiers.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SABLE COOKIES
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line baking sheet with parchment.
- In mixer cream together butter, sugar and salt. Add the eggs and blend well. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture all at once to the butter mixture and stir until just blended.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured pan and pat it out to 3/4 inch to 1-inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and chill thoroughly. Using dough in small amounts, roll cookie dough onto a floured work surface. Roll dough to desired thickness. Cut cookies with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies on prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart. These cookies do not spread. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes depending on size. Cool on baking sheet.
- Melt white chocolate snaps, divide melted chocolate into thirds. Place black food coloring in 1/3, red in another 1/3, leaving 1 without food coloring. Take cookie and dip in white chocolate for a base. Place black and red chocolate into separate pastry bags. Design a heart on cookie with red white chocolate and pipe "I Love New York" on cookies with black chocolate.
TRADITIONAL ALGERIAN SABLES (COOKIES) - LIKE LINZER AUGEN
This is my own family recipe for the traditional Algerian 'Sables' cookies. These sables are very easy to make & are a real favourite in our home. We like them with strawberry jam filling & icing sugar dusting or with apricot jam filing & dessicated coconut finish... but you can use any of your favourite preserves (if they have fruit pieces in you should sieve them before using. I have a special 4cm fluted sables cutter but you can use any cutters. I oftern use star cutters then punch out the small round centre by using a small metal bottle top (like on food colourings), or round cutter & using a small star, heart or flower cutter for the centre. These sables freeze nicely in layers separated by parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container. Allow to defrost in a single layer then dust the tops & fill with jam.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 33m
Yield 25-35 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 170°C
- Cream the margarine & sugar(s) until light & fluffy.
- Beat in the egg & vanilla, then gradually fold in the flour & baking powder.
- Mix slowly until a soft dough forms. The dough is very soft & needs handling with care but it shouldn't be sticky. If your dough is still a little sticky, sift in a little extra flour.
- Roll out to about 4mm thick, be sure to flour the rolling pin well.
- Cut out 'tops & bottoms' for your sables.
- Place on a baking tray lined with aluminium foil (shiny side up) & bake for 8 minutes. The sables should be just set but still white.
- Allow the sables to cool on the sheet for a minute then remove to a cold plate or tray to finish cooling.
- When the sables are fully cooled, heat the jam until bubbling.
- Place all the sables tops onto a tray & dust generously with the icing sugar.
- Allow the jam to cool slightly then spoon approx 1/2 tsp of the jam onto the underside of the sables 'bottoms'.
- Then carefully place a 'top' over the blob of jam.
- Allow to set, then store in one layer in an airtight container for upto 10 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 142.5, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 0.8, Cholesterol 7.4, Sodium 64.5, Carbohydrate 25.1, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 12.8, Protein 1.6
LINZER AUGEN (LINZER EYES AKA LINZER TARTS OR LINZER COOKIES)
This is the most traditional Austrian version of this cookie I could find, trying to match my grandmother's recipes that she didn't leave behind. She used Black Currant preserves; if you can't find it, use the more American accepted filling of Seedless Raspberry Jam. ;) (This recipe makes only one dozen cookies, so you may want to double, triple or quadruple!)
Provided by Karen..
Categories Dessert
Time 42m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Finely grind the almonds in a food processor, using short pulses. (It may help to put some of the granulated sugar you will be using in with the nuts as you are pulsing them. The sugar will absorb some of the oil that is produced helping to prevent it from becoming almond paste.).
- In a large bowl, beat the butter on high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until combined. Reduce the speed to low. Add the egg yolk, lemon zest, vanilla and almond extracts and beat until blended.
- Sift together the flour, cinnamon and salt into another bowl. Add the ground almonds and stir to blend.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low speed or stir with a spoon until blended. The dough should be soft.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface. Divide the dough into four equal portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
- Remove 1 portion of the dough at a time from the refrigerator. Place dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper and roll out 1/4 inch thick.
- Using a cookie cutter or glass about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, cut out the cookies. Using a 1 1/4-inch cutter, cut a hole in the center of only half of the cookies.
- Repeat with the remaining portions of dough, then re-roll the dough scraps as needed to make 24 cutouts total, cutting holes in half of them.
- If the dough becomes sticky, wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze for 10 minutes before rolling out.
- Using a thin spatula, carefully transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch, about 12 minutes.
- Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks. Loosen the cookies with the spatula, but leave the cookies on the sheets until thoroughly cooled.
- To assemble, spread the solid cookies with a thin layer (about 1 tsp.) of preserves to within about 1/4 inch of the edges. Top the solid cookies with the cutout cookies.
- Dust the cookies generously with confectioners' sugar and fill the hole with more jam.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 214, Fat 12.7, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 36.1, Sodium 52.6, Carbohydrate 22.9, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 12.1, Protein 3.3
Tips:
- Make sure to use high-quality butter for the best flavor and texture.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- If you don't have a rolling pin, you can use a wine bottle or even a glass to roll out the dough.
- To make the cookies even more festive, you can add a sprinkle of colored sugar or chopped nuts before baking.
- If you don't have apricot jam, you can use any other type of fruit jam or preserves.
Conclusion:
Traditional Algerian Sables Cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their delicate flavor and festive appearance, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special cookie recipe, be sure to give these Sables a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love