Saffron Cookies

Don’t leave those mason jars empty this Christmas! Fill them up with yummy saffron butter cookies that scream happiness to everyone who has a bite of em! These are the most delicious butter cookies you have ever tasted. Follow the simple instructions below to make your own batch of these delectable saffron cookies.

What Is Saffron Cookies?

• Saffron cookies are a delectable Indian delicacy that combines the rich flavor of saffron with the aromatic essence of cardamom. These cookies are made using a combination of all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and unsalted butter, infused with the subtle sweetness of saffron and a hint of cardamom powder. The unique combination of succulent main ingredients with Indian spices and unique seasoning sets these cookies apart, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Why You'll Love Saffron Cookies?

• Delicious Texture: These saffron cookies have a soft and chewy texture, making them the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet cravings.
• Health Benefits: Saffron is known for its numerous health benefits, including its ability to improve digestion, promote better mood, and provide antioxidant properties, making these cookies a guilt-free indulgence.
• Unique Flavor: The combination of saffron, cardamom, and pistachios creates a unique flavor profile that sets these cookies apart from the traditional ones, making them a delightful and exotic dessert option.
• Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these saffron cookies are a great choice for both experienced bakers and beginners looking to impress with a unique treat.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you're hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving a homemade sweet treat, these saffron cookies are the ideal choice for any event.
• Versatile and Adaptable: You can easily customize these cookies by adding additional nuts or dried fruits to cater to your personal taste preferences, making them a versatile and adaptable dessert option.

Ingredients for Saffron Cookies

• All purpose flour: The base ingredient for the cookies, providing structure and volume.
• Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and a soft texture to the cookies.
• Unsalted butter: Enhances the rich and creamy flavor of the cookies.
• Saffron strands: Infuses the cookies with a unique aroma and a bright yellow color.
• Cardamom powder: Adds a hint of warmth and a subtle spicy-sweet flavor.
• Milk: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.

How To Make Saffron Cookies?

For a delicious batch of saffron cookies, follow these simple instructions to create a flavorful and aromatic treat!

• Preheat the oven to 180 C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial to ensure that the cookies bake evenly without sticking to the sheet.
• Soak the saffron strands in hot milk, mixing well until combined, and set it aside. This will infuse the milk with the distinctive flavor and color of saffron, adding a delightful touch to the cookies.
• In a bowl, whisk together softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This helps in creating a light and fluffy texture for the cookies.
• Add the saffron milk to the butter-sugar mixture and mix well. The addition of saffron brings a rich, aromatic flavor and a beautiful golden hue to the cookies.
• Then, incorporate the all-purpose flour, salt, and cardamom powder into the mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. The right consistency ensures that the cookies are soft and tender.
• Take small portions of the dough, roll them into balls, and flatten them with your palms to create cookie shapes. This step helps in achieving uniform and perfectly shaped cookies.
• Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the cookies for added flavor and a decorative touch.
• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until they turn light golden brown around the edges while still being slightly soft in the center. This ensures that the cookies are perfectly baked and have a delightful crunch.
• Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. This step helps in setting the cookies and allows them to develop their full flavor and texture.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create a batch of delicious saffron cookies with a rich, aromatic flavor and a delightful golden color. Enjoy these treats with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful indulgence!

Serving Suggestions

• Perfect Pairing: These saffron cookies are best served with a hot cup of chai or coffee, allowing the flavors to complement each other.
• Fruit Plate: For a light and refreshing option, serve the saffron cookies with a side of fresh seasonal fruits like berries or sliced mango.
• Ice Cream Delight: Create a decadent dessert by serving the saffron cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, adding a creamy and sweet contrast to the cookies.
• Afternoon Tea: Arrange a beautiful spread of saffron cookies with various tea options, such as earl grey or green tea, for a sophisticated and delightful afternoon tea experience.
• Cheese Board: For a unique twist, pair the saffron cookies with a selection of gourmet cheeses, providing a savory and sweet combination that will surprise and delight your guests.
• Yogurt Dip: Offer a tangy yogurt dip as a side for the saffron cookies, creating a balance of flavors and textures.

By following these serving suggestions, you can elevate the experience of enjoying these delicious saffron cookies and create a memorable dining experience for yourself and your guests.

Tips for Making Saffron Cookies

Furthermore, I would like to share some of my suggestions for making perfect saffron butter cookies.

• Firstly, whisk the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy. Then try to use the best brand of saffron to get its natural flavor.
• Secondly, you can replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the cookies won’t be as soft as they should be.
• If the dough is too sticky, then add some flour and mix it well or you can also chill the dough in the refrigerator for some time and then shape the cookies. If it is hard to make the cookies then add some hot milk. The dough should ideally be soft. You can also garnish the top of the cookies with almond slivers.
• Lastly, the cookies will be soft and ready to crumble as soon as you take out from the oven, but it will be firm once it cools.
• Finally, store the saffron butter cookies in an airtight container to maintain its crispness.
• Cooking Techniques: When baking the saffron cookies, it's important to keep an eye on them and not overbake. The cookies should be light golden brown around the edges but still a little soft in the center. This ensures a perfect texture and flavor.
• Importance of Garnishing: Adding chopped pistachios on top of each cookie not only adds a delicious crunch but also enhances the presentation of the saffron cookies. It gives them a pop of color and makes them look even more appetizing.
• Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the unsalted butter is at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth, creamy dough. This will also help the cookies to bake evenly and retain their delicious flavor.
• Saffron Infusion: Soaking the saffron in hot milk is an important step to infuse the flavor and color into the cookies. Be sure to mix it well until combined before adding it to the dough.
• Space Out the Cookies: When placing the cookies on the baking sheet, be sure to space them about one inch apart. This allows them to spread and bake evenly, giving each cookie its perfect shape and texture.

Variations for Saffron Cookies

• Nutty Delight: Add chopped almonds or cashews to the dough for a crunchy and nutty twist to the traditional saffron cookies.
• Citrus Zing: For a refreshing flavor, add a hint of lemon or orange zest to the dough. The citrusy aroma will complement the saffron beautifully.
• Chocolate Infusion: Fold in some chocolate chips or chunks into the dough for a decadent and indulgent version of saffron cookies.
• Floral Fragrance: Enhance the floral notes of saffron by adding a touch of rose water to the dough. This delicate addition will elevate the cookies to a whole new level.
• Fruity Surprise: Mix in some dried fruits like cranberries or apricots for a burst of sweetness and chewiness in every bite.
• Spiced Up: Experiment with adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm and aromatic twist to the saffron cookies.

How to Store Saffron Cookies

• Store in an airtight container: Once the saffron cookies have fully cooled down, store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming stale.
• Keep away from direct sunlight: It's important to store saffron cookies in a cool, dark place to preserve their flavor and texture. Direct sunlight can cause them to become dry and lose their original taste.
• Use fresh saffron: Ensure the saffron used in the cookies is fresh and aromatic. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality and flavor.
• Avoid moisture: Moisture can cause the cookies to become soggy and lose their crispness. Keep them in a dry environment to maintain their texture.
• Refrigeration: If you live in a humid climate, refrigerating the saffron cookies can help to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming stale.
• Separate layers with parchment paper: If stacking the cookies, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together and maintain their shape.

By following these simple storage tricks, you can ensure that your saffron cookies remain fresh and delicious for a longer period of time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

• Yes, you can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand. Just be sure to omit the pinch of salt called for in the recipe to avoid the cookies becoming too salty.

What can I use if I don't have saffron strands?

• If you don't have saffron strands, you can use a pinch of turmeric powder as a substitute. It won't have the exact same flavor, but it will still give the cookies a beautiful color.

Can I make the dough in advance and bake the cookies later?

• Yes, you can make the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking the cookies.

How should I store the saffron cookies?

• Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 5-7 days.

Can I freeze the saffron cookies?

• Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Can I add nuts or dried fruits to the saffron cookies?

• Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped nuts, such as almonds or cashews, or dried fruits like raisins or cranberries to the cookie dough for added flavor and texture. Just be mindful of any allergies if serving to others.

Recipe Card

Saffron Cookies

Saffron Cookies 2016-11-21 11:43:18

Serves 8                          Print        

Prep Time   00:10        

Cook Time   00:20        

Total Time   00:30                      

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 4 tbsp powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp (45g)unsalted butter at room temperature
• Few saffron strands
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp hot milk
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios  for garnishing          

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180 C, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Then soak the saffron in hot milk, mix well until combined and keep it aside.
• In a wide bowl, add softened butter and powdered sugar and whisk well until smooth and creamy.
• Then add the saffron milk and mix well.
• Then add the flour, salt and cardamom powder, mix well with a spatula until a smooth dough. The dough should be very soft.
• Take a small portion of the dough, roll like a ball and then flatten it with your palms to bring it to a cookie shape.
• Make all the cookies and place them on the baking sheet, spacing them about one inch apart. Then place the pistachios over each cookie.
• Finally, bake it in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 mins or until light golden brown around the edges but still a little soft in the center..
• Remove them from the oven and let them cool down for few mins.          

Notes

• The cookies will be soft when you took out, but it will be firm once it cools.
• If the dough is too sticky, then add some flour and mix it well. The dough should ideally be soft.         

By Santhi Therese    The Indian Claypot

https://theindianclaypot.com/