Baking these Parmesan shortbread cookies will fill your house with the most intense baked parmesan aroma. You will start salivating way before they are done and ready to eat. I warned you.
WHAT IS A PARMESAN SABLE
It’s a cheesy cookie. It’s a cheesy shortbread biscuit to be more exact. a Cookie none the less. Fat and flour mixed together, shaped like a thin hockey puck and baked.
The word sablé is French for sandy. It refers to the texture you get when rubbing flour and butter together.
Pro knowledge - The vital step in making almost any bakery that has a crumbly texture. This is because the fat covers the individual flour “grains” and prevent gluten from tightening the baked mass into a stronger more chewy structure. Hence the crumbly(short) - like in shortbread - texture.
Sablés was first created in the French town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, Western France in the 16th century. Parmesan or savoury versions followed their sweet versions much later.
The funny fact. All the American and English versions of cookies and biscuits had their roots firmly grounded in French cuisine. Like many other modern-day baked goods.
If you are French and you see a giant chocolate chip cookie made by some over-happy American blogger or you are American and try and claim “the cookie” proudly American, Think again)))
Some dude. Somewhere a Century before the French revolution. Made a little snack for tea.
I’m not sparing the British here either. Sweet shortbread biscuits. Same-origin.
This little snack evolved and in some cases got truly [email protected]#d(in the case of some chewy cookie recipes out there, which is just a lump of sugar and lard).
As you can see...
Our cuisines are as interconnected as our societies.
... and it does not matter what you call these.
Parmesan cheese cookies or Parmesan Sablé(Frenchy). Parmesan shortbread biscuits or just a plain cheese biscuit or cheese cookie.
It’s a savoury cookie. Of all things savoury baking, these Parmesan biscuits are the absolute Ultimate snack.
WHY SHOULD YOU COOK THESE PARMESAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES RIGHT NOW
Think Cheesy, flaky, crumbly crunchiness. All the things that a perfect nibble for wine or beer should be. Even without the booze. Your kids are going to love you for these. Forever. They will probably never move out of the house.
It does not matter if you are a seasoned baker or a cooking-impotent bachelor. Throwing together 3 ingredients. Making little cookie shapes and baking them at 170C for 12 minutes, is probably the easiest recipe anyone can cook.
If you don’t have kids. You don’t like people. Then, these are perfect for you. Life sucks when you lonely sometimes. With this recipe for parmesan shortbread cookies, you have a friend for life.
Feeling lonely? Bake some parmesan biscuits. Feeling sad? Bake some more cookies. Feeling angry? These Parmesan shortbread biscuits will cheer you up.
Your boyfriend or girlfriend bored with you? Then make these Parmesan shortbread biscuits for sunset snacks and drinks. Romantic and cheesy. Perfect. You know you love it.
Like the saying goes “ a friend in need is a friend indeed”.
HOW TO MAKE PARMESAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES
1st Step – Grate some Parmesan or similar cheese like Grana Padano on a fine grated.
2nd Step – Mix together butter and flour until it resembles sand(Sablé). Add the Parmesan. (Optional and recommended) Add smoked paprika, Dijon mustard and a touch of salt if you using unsalted butter.
3rd Step – Form a homogenous dough ball.
Pro Advice - Try and work as light and quick as possible. Baked goods like cookies, biscuits, scones etc hate being overworked and it’s vital the butter does not melt.
4th Step – Weigh out 10g pieces for small cookies or 20g pieces for larger cookies. If the dough gets too hot chill it in the fridge for a few minutes. Afterwards, shape each piece like a flat hockey puck. Place them onto a greaseproof lined baking tray or silicone baking mat.
5th Step – With the back of a fork press down onto the cookies to make a criss-cross pattern. It helps by dipping the fork into some water so that the fork doesn’t stick to the biscuits.
Chill again for 5 minutes. Brush them with a bit of egg wash(1 egg + 50g water). This makes them shine like glazed cookies and adds a small amount of crispiness.
Heat the oven to 170C.
Always cook biscuits or cookies when they are cold. Place your egg-washed or not parmesan shortbread cookies into the oven and set a timer for 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them to see how they are coming along.
When they are done remove from the oven and chill on a wire rack or just straight on the tray. It does not matter as there is no water in them. The wire rack is just quicker.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THESE PARMESAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES
Parmesan biscuits are super versatile. They are super dangerous too. Once you start eating them. It’s difficult to stop. I recommend you double this recipe for that exact same reason.
Parmesan shortbread biscuits go great with wine and beer alike. Their savouriness, cheesiness and crumble texture makes them ideally suited for almost any drink.
Please just don’t spoil it and go have them with some water or juice or a f$ck*ng monster shake. The world has seen enough bad ideas. Food and drinks pairings, especially.
I suggest you chill down a nice bottle of white wine or some well-made IPA(beer). Get some cured meat like bresaola or Jamon (Spanish equivalent for Parma ham or Prosciutto and much superior in most cases).
Along with that. Some lovely marinated olives. Like Castelvetrano. Their buttery flavour goes extremely well with Chardonnay and cheese.
You could also use them to scoop up some dips. Like hummus, Baba ghanoush, or this creamed spinach served cold or warm.
Pro Tip
Parmesan shortbread cookies make the perfect gift. Take them along to a party or celebration along with a bottle of wine or a few nice beers.
Chardonnay is the best wine pairing for these cheese biscuits. IPA is my preference for a beer pairing with parmesan biscuits.
Frequently asked questions about shortbread Cookies
Can I make parmesan cookies in advance?
As long as you store them in an airtight container. Once cooled they can be made 3 to 4 days in advance.
How long to store parmesan cookies for?
Store airtight they can keep for two weeks at room temperature without losing freshness. For longer storage store in the freezer for up the 3 months.
Can you freeze cookie dough?
You can freeze raw or cooked cookie dough of any kind. Just make sure it's well covered to avoid freezer burn.
Best way to store freshly baked cookies
Freshly baked cookies should be chilled down before covering and being stored in an airtight container at room temperature. a Cool dry place is best to prevent mould or texture spoilage.
They can also be stored wrapped up tight in the fridge or freezer.
IF YOU FOUND THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL OR HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR MORE TASTY RECIPES
Parmesan Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 200g salted butter
- 230g all purpose flour
- 200g grated Parmesan or other similar hard cheese
- 1g smoked parika*(optional)*
- 8g Dijon mustard*(optional)*
- 6g fine sea salt if *using* unsalted *butter*
- 100g egg wash(1 egg + 50g water)*(optional)*
Instructions
1st Step
- Heat the oven to 170C.
- Grate some Parmesan or similar cheese like Grana Padano on a fine grated.
2nd Step
- Mix together butter and flour until it resembles sand(Sablé).
- Add the Parmesan.
- (Optional and recommended) Add smoked paprika, Dijon mustard and a touch of salt if you using unsalted butter.
3rd Step
- Form a homogenous dough ball.
- Pro Advice - Try and work as light and quick as possible.
- Baked goods like cookies, biscuits, scones etc hate being overworked and it’s vital the butter does not melt.
4th Step
- Weigh out 10g pieces for small cookies or 20g pieces for larger cookies.
- If the dough gets too hot chill it in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Afterwards shape each piece like a flat hockey puck and place them onto a greaseproof lined baking tray or silicone baking mat.
5th Step(Optional)
- With the back of a fork press down onto the cookies to make a criss-cross pattern.
- It helps by dipping the fork into some water so that the fork don’t stick to the biscuits.
- Chill again for 5 minutes and After that brush them with a bit of egg wash(1 egg + 50g water).
- This makes them shiny like glazed cookies and adds a small amount of crispiness.(Optional)
6th Step
- Always cook biscuits or cookies when they are well chilled.
- Place your egg washed or not parmesan shortbread cookies into the oven and set a timer for 12 minutes.
- Keep an eye on them to see how they are coming along.
- When they are done remove from the oven and chill over a wire rack or just straight on the tray.
- It does not matter as there is no water in them. Wire rack is just quicker.
Notes
** Make sure the dough is always well chilled until the minute you put it in the oven. The golden rule of baking any cookie or biscuit.
**These cookies are the perfect gift so make this recipe double and take them to your next party or cheer up a friend
Nutrition Facts
Parmesan Shortbread Cookies
Serves: 10 portions
|
Amount Per Serving: 3 pieces
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 294.6 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 21.58 g | 33.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 13.59 g | 68% | |
| Trans Fat 0.66 g | ||
| Cholesterol 56.6 mg | 18.9% | |
| Sodium 277.8 mg | 11.6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 15.92 g | 5.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0.54 g | 2.2% | |
| Sugars 0.23 g | ||
| Protein 9.39 g | ||
| Vitamin A 19.8 % | Vitamin C 0.0 % | |
| Calcium 24.46 % | Iron 2.23 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
PantsDownApronsOn
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @PANTSDWONAPRONSON on Instagram and hashtag it #PANTSDOWNAPRONSON
Have your say