Pan Meino (Pan de Mej) Recipe
Category: Desserts
Servings: 15
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Corn flour (fioretto) | 300g |
| All-purpose flour (00) | 200g |
| Butter | 150g |
| Sugar | 150g |
| Vanilla bean | 1 |
| Baking powder | 16g |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Salt (fine) | A pinch |
| Elderflower (optional) | To taste |
Nutritional Information (per serving – approximate):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 170 kcal |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 13g |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Butter: Begin by melting the butter over low heat in a small saucepan. Once fully melted, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly until it reaches a lukewarm temperature. This step ensures that the butter blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the corn flour and all-purpose flour. Add the baking powder to this mixture, and sift everything together. This step will help ensure that the flour mixture is light and free of any lumps, providing the perfect texture for your dough.
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Incorporate Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until they form a smooth, light mixture. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add them to the mixture. Pour in the melted butter and mix until everything is well combined.
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Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until the dough begins to come together. You should end up with a soft, slightly sticky dough that is still workable with your hands.
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Form the Cookies: Take approximately 60-70 grams of dough at a time and roll it into a ball. Gently flatten each ball to form a disc approximately 8 cm in diameter. Repeat the process until all the dough has been shaped into discs. Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Add Elderflower (Optional): If you have elderflowers available, sprinkle them over the tops of the dough circles. This addition brings a delicate floral note that enhances the cookies’ flavor. If elderflowers are not available, you can skip this step.
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Add Sugar: Sprinkle the shaped dough discs generously with regular granulated sugar. For a finishing touch, dust them with a generous amount of powdered sugar for extra sweetness and a beautiful, snowy appearance.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the cookies for 20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them towards the end.
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Cool: Once baked, remove the Pan Meino from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. After they have slightly cooled, transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
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Serve: Enjoy your homemade Pan Meino with a cup of tea or coffee. These delicate, sweet treats are perfect for sharing with family and friends or as a delightful snack.
The Pan Meino, also known as Pan de Mej, is a traditional Italian dessert that combines the subtle sweetness of sugar with the richness of butter and the floral hint of elderflower. The delicate texture of these cookies is a result of the perfect balance between corn flour and all-purpose flour, making each bite both tender and satisfying. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a comforting treat, these cookies are sure to impress.
