Butter Cookies From North Africa Ghreyba Recipes

THE BEST BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for a full 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through the mixing; the butter should be very light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed to combine. Scrape down the mixing bowl before adding the remaining dry ingredients and beat to combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour in the bowl for drop cookies, or form into a 1-inch log for slice-and-bake cookies.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the turbinado sugar in a small bowl. For drop cookies, scoop the cookie dough with a 1 tablespoon-size cookie scoop and then dip the tops of the cookie dough balls into the sugar. Place onto the prepared baking sheet.
• For slice-and-bake cookies, cut the log into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Press the tops into the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake the cookies until slightly puffed and lightly golden on the bottom, about 15 minutes.

BUTTER COOKIES FROM NORTH AFRICA (GHREYBA)

Steps:

• Mix oil or butter and sugar well.
• Add flour gradually and mix.
• Shape into little balls and press down gently to flatten into shape.
• Garnish with an almond.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.

GHORAYEBA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, stir together the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in flour and cardamom until well blended. Pinch off tablespoonfuls of dough, and roll into a thin rope. Join the ends together in a circle, and place on a greased cookie sheet. Place almond halves on the joints where the circles come together.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The cookies should remain white, but may turn golden at the very edge.

BUTTER COOKIES II

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least one hour. Chill cookie sheets.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Press dough out onto ungreased, chilled cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly golden at the edges. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

NORWEGIAN BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a baking/cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl sift together flour with baking powder and salt.
• In another bowl beat butter with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, vanilla and almond extract until fluffy (about 3 minutes).
• Add in egg and beat until combined.
• Add in the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.
• Form the dough into 1-1/2-inch balls.
• Place the balls about 3-inches apart on the cookie sheet.
• Using back of a fork flatten to about 1/2 to 1/2-inch thick making criss-cross patterns.
• Bake for about 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
• Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
• When the cookies are cooled coat lightly in confectioners sugar if desired.