Whisking Away Winter Blues: Irresistible Cookie Recipes To Sweeten Your Season

From classic favourites with a twist to unique creations inspired by local flavours, here are some cookie recipes that will elevate your winter baking experience.

Here are some different cookie recipes to try this winter

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Winter is the perfect time to indulge in the warmth and comfort of freshly baked cookies. Whether you're looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of tea or a delightful snack to share with loved ones, these diverse cookie recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings. From classic favourites with a twist to unique creations inspired by local flavours, here are some cookie recipes that will elevate your winter baking experience.

Recipe 1: Nutella Stuffed Cookies

(By Chef Parmi Shreeram, The Tamara Coorg)

Everybody loves Nutella, and these cookies have a delightful surprise right in the centre, making them a treat for all ages.

Ingredients:

• Nutella - 50 g
• Unsalted butter - 115 g
• Light brown sugar - 175 g
• Egg - 1
• Flour - 275 g
• Vanilla Essence - ½ tsp
• Soda Bicarbonate - ½ tsp
• Salt - ½ tsp
• Chocolate, finely chopped - 200 g

Method:

1. Scoop heaped teaspoons of Nutella onto a lined tray and freeze until solid.
2. Make the cookie dough.
3. Preheat your oven to 190C/170C Fan.
4. Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla and egg, beating until smooth.
5. Whisk together flour, salt, soda bicarbonate. Add to the butter and egg mix.
6. Add finely chopped chocolate and mix until combined.
7. Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
8. Flatten the dough and place a frozen lump of Nutella in the middle. Wrap the dough around the Nutella.
9. Line baking trays with parchment paper. Place 6 cookies on each tray.
10. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes.

Recipe 2: Oats & Raisins Cookies

(By Chef Nitish Chandra Phani, The Tamara Kodai)

Oat and raisin cookies are low glycemic, providing sustained energy. They also contain essential minerals and antioxidants, promoting overall health.

Ingredients:

• Butter - 150 g
• Sugar - 280 g
• Egg - 1
• Oats - 380 g
• Raisins - 100 g
• Whole Wheat Flour - 150 g
• Cinnamon powder - 2 g
• Baking Soda - 2 g
• Vanilla Essence - 4 ml

Method:

1. Beat sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla essence in a mixer.
2. In a big bowl, mix oats, whole wheat flour, raisins, cinnamon powder, and baking soda.
3. Add beaten sugar and egg mixture to this and mix well to make a soft dough.
4. Divide dough into small balls of 25 grams each. Flatten and arrange on a baking tray.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 12 to 15 minutes.

Recipe 3: Pookie - Pearl Millet And Wheat Bran Cookies

(By Chef Akshay Mote, Sous Chef, Hilton Goa)

Pookie is a unique cookie, a fusion of 'Poie' (local Goan bread) and 'Cookie', incorporating Wheat Bran and Pearl Millet for a healthier twist.

Ingredients:

• 150 grams Pearl Millet/Bajra Flour
• 100 grams Whole Wheat Flour
• 50 grams Wheat Bran
• 5g baking powder
• 180 grams Jaggery Powder
• 200 grams Ghee (at room temperature)

Instructions:

1. Mix ghee and powdered jaggery until it resembles bread crumbs.
2. Mix both flours, add to the ghee-sugar mixture to make a dough.
3. Roll the dough and shape cookies.
4. Bake at 170°C for 13-15 minutes until the sides start browning.

Recipe 4: Seven Spice Cookies

(By Chef Lloyd Trinidade – Pastry Chef Incharge, Novotel Goa Candolim)

These Seven Spice Cookies bring a festive touch to your winter with a delightful mix of spices, making them the perfect accompaniment to your tea, coffee, cheese, or even wine.

Ingredients:

• Butter – 160g
• Brown Sugar -190g
• Vanilla – 1 tsp
• Egg – 1
• Flour – 370g
• Grainy cashew nuts – 60g
• Baking Powder – 5g
• Caraway seed chopped- 3g
• Star Anise powder- 1 pinch
• Cloves Powder – 1 pinch
• Cinnamon Powder – 1 pinch
• Ginger Powder- 1 pinch
• Cardamom Powder – 1 pinch
• Nutmeg – 1 pinch
• Candid Orange Peels – 5g
• Candid lemon peels – 5g

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Whisk butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg until creamy.
3. Add flour and baking powder to the egg mixture.
4. Prepare a spice mix with cloves, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg.
5. Add chopped peels & cashew nuts to the bowl.
6. Add the spice mix to the flour and knead into a dough.
7. Roll into balls, flatten, and bake at 180°C for 15-18 minutes.