Orange and olive oil cookies

October 19, 2011  •  Category: , ,

 

 


A traditional Algerian cookie posted on Radia‘s blog called twabaa; the ring shape of these Algerian cookies is similar to the Lebanese kaak flavored with anise or mahlab. The dough is richer (with eggs) but the cookies are plain and rather crunchy. Radia flavored hers with lemon rind and vanilla and coated them with an egg wash.

INGREDIENTS: 30 cookies

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup of oil (light olive oil is best here)
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • rind of one or more oranges
  • 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla or orange blossom water
  • enough flour to form a thick but moist and sticky dough ( I used about 2 1/2 cups of unbleached all-purpose)
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • dash of salt

Glaze: 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tbsp of unsalted butter, several tablespoons of fresh orange juice, 1 tsp of orange rind: Melt over low heat and dunk the cookies one by one in the glaze.

METHOD:

  1. Beat the eggs and sugar for a few minutes until a bit thick; add the oil in a thin stream while beating, add the orange rind and orange blossom water or vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and add the dry mixture to the batter until combined.
  2. Using a 1-inch cookie dough scooper or a tablespoon, form even-sized balls of dough; poke in the middle with the handle of a spoon to form a hole and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 350F oven (180C) for 15 minutes or so until the cookies are lightly golden. If glazing, dunk in the glaze one by one. Cool.

Comments

28 Comments  •  Comments Feed

  1. domi says:

    Une petite douceur étonnante et pleine de saveurs originales….

  2. Peter says:

    A novel way to poke a hole in the cookies, ideal for a Greek coffee (little bite). I’d still use regular olive oil…love the flavour in baked treats.

  3. Belinda @zomppa says:

    Beautiful cookies! Delicate flavor….

  4. Priyanka says:

    Loved your creative recipe. Have bookmarked this page…I definitely have to try it out…Its an awesome cookie 🙂

  5. kouky says:

    délicieusement parfumés!! il faut que je teste ta version à l’huile d’olive!! bonne soirée!!

  6. Priya says:

    Marvellous,flavourful cookies..would love to have with a cup of coffee.

  7. Rosa says:

    Awsome cookies! I bet they are really addictive and go perfectly well with a cup of black coffee.

    cheeers,

    Rosa

  8. Joan Nova says:

    I know I would love these.

  9. Alaiyo Kiasi says:

    I predict that these cookies will be a hit at our Thanksgiving office party. Although the cookies appear (in the pictures) to be a pastry chef’s work, the recipe and directions seem simple an straightforward. Truth be told, I’m fearful of baking, but nothing horrible has happened when I’ve baked (except for burning here and there).

    Again, you’re an inspiration.

    Best,
    Alaiyo

  10. Claudia says:

    I love coming here! Everything is so new and exciting. At first I thought they were doughnuts. I have baked cakes a lot with olive oil but never cookies – love the trick making the hole in the cookie. Would’ve taken me years to figure that out!

  11. Sally - My Custard P says:

    So much nicer than choc-chip! Fabulous recipe and instructions as always.

  12. Caffettiera says:

    Plain cookies like these always move me somehow. They are everywhere – in southern Italy we flavour them with aniseed as well. I love the orange twist.

  13. Joanne says:

    The hint of orange in these must make them so refreshing to bite into!

  14. T.W. Barritt says:

    They look like little doughnuts – I really like the combination of orange and olive oil – simple and traditional, but so good!

  15. amelia (ztastylife) says:

    Hello! I a new to your blog. I am intrigued about Lebanese cooking (I am Mediterranean: from Italy, and I know there are a lot of common themes with our cuisines, like the use of olive oil, even in desserts). These cookies look wonderful!

  16. lisaiscooking says:

    The ring shape looks great! These must be so deliciously fragrant, and the glaze looks fantastic.

  17. Devaki says:

    This a wonderful and flavorful recipe as always Joumana. I know I wuld love love love these with a vuppa. And a special thanks for answering thwe mystery of how I am to get a hole in the middle of the donut with no special gizmos 🙂

    chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

  18. heguiberto says:

    Hi Joumana,

    I normally use olive oil in savory dishes. I need to branch out a bit. These cookies look delish!

    On a different note, I think the TV dinner challenge idea is excellent! Sign us up, let me know what the rules are and the date! Can’t wait.

    Cheers,
    Heguiberto

  19. Bria @ West of Persi says:

    Oooh, how I wish I had these to enjoy with a big cup of tea. They look splendid!

  20. Ali says:

    Nice.. the olive on the doughnuts looks good… so mouth watering. love this post.

  21. Meeta says:

    How delicately flavored these are and how wonderful they look. I often crave these cookies – remember them from the Lebanese bakery next to my parents home. Never tried making them so will have to give it a go now!

  22. Eve@CheapEthnicEatz says:

    These look lovely and like the orange flavor. Always so curious about sweets with olive oil.

  23. Nancy says:

    these look lovely, i will try them, but i have a question, do you beat the eggs and the surger by electronic mixer, then fold in the dry ingredients?

  24. Richa@HobbyandMore says:

    i like the look and sound of these cookies.! i love the basic flavors!

  25. . Rayhan says:

    lovely cookies, just like we make here in Portugal, but somehow more delicate

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