No chilling time for the dough makes these easy cinnamon cookies a snap to prepare. Bake them until barely colored for a chewier cookie, or until golden for crispy, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
For more flavor, add the optional chopped nuts (I don't bother). I shape them on the small side to keep them elegant enough for tea time, but you can make them larger if you prefer.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Add time for baking in batches: 12 minutes
Total Time: 49 minutes
Yield: Approx. 80 small cookies
Ingredients:
- 4 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 cups (450 g) butter, softened
- 2 cups (450 g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup (80 grams) finely ground nuts (optional)
Preparation:
Preheat an oven to 350° F (180° C).
Sift together the flour, salt and cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in the egg yolks.
Gradually mix in the flour mixture to form a thick, stiff dough. If using the ground nuts, mix them in as well.
Shape the dough into small balls about 1" (3 cm) in diameter. Place the balls on ungreased baking sheets and flatten them by pressing with a fork in a criss-cross pattern. Brush the tops lightly with egg white (not too much).
Bake the cookies 8 to 9 minutes, or until barely colored for a chewy cookie; bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden for a crispy cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a minute before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
