“Heavenly Cinnamon Stars from the Vanilla Sky” are indeed a delightful treat, inspired by Chef Rakesh Sethi’s creation and perfect for your Christmas basket. These cinnamon stars, with their heavenly aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture, promise to elevate your festive baking experience. Let’s dive into the details of this enchanting recipe:
Recipe Details
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Recipe Category: Dessert
Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Asian, Indian, < 60 Mins, Oven, Inexpensive
Recipe Yield: 1 tray (yield not specified)
Ingredients
- 120g butter
- 120g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- Icing sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
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Prepare the Dough:
- Put butter in a mixing bowl.
- Add sugar and cream well until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- Fold in all-purpose flour and cinnamon powder until combined.
- Add vanilla essence and mix well.
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Chill the Dough:
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out.
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Roll and Cut Out the Stars:
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
- Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour.
- Roll out the chilled dough to a thickness similar to that of a flour tortilla or an Indian flatbread (roti).
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Shape the Cookies:
- Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out stars from the rolled-out dough.
- Carefully lift each star and place it on a greased baking tray. Leave some space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
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Bake:
- Bake the cinnamon stars in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crisp.
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Cool and Dust:
- Once baked, remove the stars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Dust the cooled cinnamon stars with icing sugar for a sweet finishing touch.
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Serve or Package:
- Enjoy these heavenly cinnamon stars on their own, pack them into your Christmas gift baskets, or share them with friends and neighbors as part of your festive treats.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 2723.6
- Total Fat: 119.7g
- Saturated Fat: 68g
- Cholesterol: 1102.5mg
- Sodium: 974.4mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 354.4g
- Dietary Fiber: 10.6g
- Sugars: 122.7g
- Protein: 57.3g
Tips and Variations:
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Refrigeration: Don’t skip chilling the dough as it helps in easy handling and retains the shape of the stars during baking.
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Cookie Cutter: If you don’t have a star-shaped cutter, you can use other festive shapes like hearts, snowflakes, or even simple rounds.
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Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger for a unique twist on these cinnamon stars.
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Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday gifting.
These Heavenly Cinnamon Stars from the Vanilla Sky combine the warmth of cinnamon with the sweetness of vanilla, making them a truly magical addition to any Christmas celebration or cookie exchange. Enjoy baking and sharing these stars with your loved ones!
