saffron almond olive oil cookies


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I was hoping to make cookies, but did not have any butter.

I did have extra virgin olive oil, though. So I went searching online, which is what I always do, for recipes or inspiration. Sometimes both.

This is a recipe from Mark Bittman. I did not have zest, or juice, but I did have marcona almonds, almond extract, and milk, so theses turned out a little different. Next time.

This recipe is taken from Tim Ferriss' fantastically thick cookbook, The 4 Hour Chef, which is packed with way too much goodness. When paired with a decadent red wine, the Sexy-Time Steak is exquisite. I really do. No, really. It's burnt perfectionism, oozing with butter and rendered fat. It's incredible. And simple!

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saffron almond olive oil cookies (slightly modified from here.)

ingredients

small pinch of crumbled saffron threads, roughly 1/8 teaspoon

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 large eggs

2 Tablespoons of whole milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

About 25-30 marcona almonds (or regular almonds, if you prefer)

deamarara sugar (I call it rah-rah) (optional)

method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 1 Tablespoon of boiling water with the saffron in a medium bowl. Stir and steep for about 5 minutes.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and stir with a whisk several times to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.

Add the sugar and olive oil to the saffron mix, and beat with a whisk until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, and incorporate well using the whisk. Beat in the milk and extract, if using.

I used a Tablespoon ice cream scoop to drop mounds of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Mark Bittman suggests 2 teaspoons, which yield n extra dozen more than what I had. So, if you want less, but bigger, cookies, use a Tablespoon scoop. They all were about 3-inches apart from each other on the baking sheets.

For each cookie, I pressed one marcona almond in the top center, then sprinkled generously with demarera sugar, if using. Bake on 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes. Mine took about 14 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Can be stored at room temperature for one to two days.

Though it's finally beginning to warm up a little bit... ... even though it's still too cold for me to wear a coat in Chicago, I'm preparing for spring by making a ton of interesting dishes for Passover and Easter. In any case, I discovered many of my mother Bernice's recipes, which I will include in my next cookbook, "EAT THIS, YOU'LL DIE!" Here is one of my all-time favorites, a strawberry and rhubarb compote that she prepared when I was a child. I've included both her stovetop and Instant Pot versions of the dish.

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9 responses to “saffron almond olive oil cookies”

  1. I’m also always referring to my best friend (i.e. Google) for baking/cooking inspirations! These cookies look so interesting using saffron and olive oil. Saving it to give it a try soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ve never tried saffron in a cookie, but it sure sounds good when paired with the almond and olive oil. Very different and interesting!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’ve not had it in a cookie, but I’ve had it in a bread, so I knew that I’d like It as a sweet thing. The almond and olive oil did help this cookie. I might be posting more baked stuff with olive oil. I like the flavor of it with something sweet.

      Like

  3. These are awesome! I have some lovely saffron I picked up in Saudi Arabia and I’ve been looking for recipes to explore, these look and sound perfect 😍

    Like

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