Starry Centerpiece Cookies (Centrotavola di Stelline)
Category: Desserts
Servings: 1
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 115g |
| All-purpose flour | 230g |
| Hazelnut flour | 70g |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 10g |
| Egg | 1 |
| Powdered sugar | 140g |
| Hazelnut paste | 30g |
| Vanilla bean | 1 |
| Salt | 1 pinch |
| Powdered sugar (for icing) | 150g |
| Egg whites | 1 |
| Lemon juice | 2g |
Instructions
Start by preparing the cocoa and hazelnut shortcrust pastry for the starry centerpiece. In a food processor, combine the sifted flour and cold butter, cut into small pieces. Cut open the vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds using the back of a knife. Add these seeds into the flour-butter mixture. Next, add the powdered sugar and hazelnut paste to the bowl. Process everything together until you have a smooth, compact dough.
Sift the cocoa powder and sprinkle it over the dough. Once combined, you should have a smooth and firm dough ball. Flatten it slightly and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the fridge for the required amount of time.
Once rested, take the dough out and roll it out to about 1 cm thick on a lightly floured surface. Use a variety of star-shaped cookie cutters (small, medium, and large) to cut out the stars. Gather any leftover dough, re-roll, and continue cutting until all the dough is used up.
Prepare a baking tray by brushing it with butter and lining it with parchment paper. Draw a 22 cm diameter circle on the paper, then begin to arrange your stars in the circle, alternating between the large, medium, and small stars. Once arranged, place the tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes to chill. This helps the stars hold their shape during baking.
Preheat the oven to 170°C (338°F) if using static heat. For a fan-assisted oven, reduce the temperature by 20°C (68°F) and bake for 8-10 minutes less than the stated time. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes (or until lightly golden). After baking, carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.
While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing: In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites using an electric hand mixer until frothy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, continuing to mix until the icing becomes stiff and glossy. Transfer the icing to a disposable piping bag, cutting off a small tip.
Once the cookies have cooled completely, decorate them using the royal icing. You can pipe a border around each star or get creative with your designs, adding intricate details to make your starry centerpiece even more beautiful. Allow the icing to set before serving.
These delicate, flavorful cookies are perfect for creating a stunning centerpiece for any occasion, or simply as a delightful treat to share with friends and family. Enjoy the sweetness and elegance of these Starry Centerpiece Cookies!
