The Mercury

Avo cookies dipped in chocolate

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The dough needs to be refrigerat­ed for at least 1 hour, and up to 1 day. The dipped cookies need to set for about an hour before serving or storing.

Adapted from a recipe by chef and cookbook author Pati Jinich.

Make ahead: Cookies

¼ cup coconut oil (solidified), at room temperatur­e ¼ cup ripe, diced Hass avocado ¾ cup confection­ers’ sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Finely grated zest of 1 lime, plus 2 tablespoon­s juice 1 cups flour, plus more for the work surface ½ teaspoon baking powder Pinch kosher salt

For the icing

170g bitterswee­t chocolate, coarsely chopped or broken into pieces 1 tablespoon coconut oil

For the cookies: Combine the coconut oil and avocado in the bowl of a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer; beat on medium speed, until smooth. Stop to scrape down the bowl.

Add the sugar; beat on medium speed for a few minutes, until fluffy, then add the egg, vanilla extract, lime zest and juice; beat until well incorporat­ed. Stop to scrape down the bowl.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt on a sheet of parchment or wax paper. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just long enough to form a soft, well-blended dough.

Lightly flour a work surface. Transfer the dough there and sprinkle lightly with flour so you can gather the dough into two logs, each about 24cm and 4cm wide. Roll in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to make a tightly packed log. Refrigerat­e for at least 1 hour, and up to 1 day.

If the logs of dough aren’t fairly firm, place them in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 180°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

Unwrap the dough logs and place on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut each one into 14 to 15 thin slices. You may wet the blade of the knife after 4 or 5 slices to make it easier to cut. Arrange the dough slices at least 2.5cm apart on baking sheets.

Bake (upper and lower racks) for 9 minutes, rotating sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through. Cookies should be pale but lightly browned at the edges.

Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the icing: Re-line the baking sheets with new parchment paper or wipe clean the silicone liners.

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely bubbling water (medium-low heat), stirring until shiny and smooth. Remove from the heat.

While the icing is warm, dip one side of each cookie halfway into it, then transfer to the baking sheets to set for about 1 hour before serving or storing.

Makes 28 to 30 servings.

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