Sable Breton …France

Technically a shortbread with a twist. This classic Breton cookie is characterized by its sandy (sablé in French) texture, which is a result of large quantities of butter and egg yolks used to make them. The cookies were first produced in 1670 in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, when the steward of Prince Condé made him some shortbreads for a party. According to the story, he named them sablé in honor of the Marquise de Sablé, who was also present at the party. The cookies can be flavored with a wide variety of ingredients, such as lemon or orange zest, almonds, green peppers, or cheese. It is recommended to serve them with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

French Butter Cookies (Sable Breton)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 120 g

• 1/2 cup + 5 tbsp salted butter or Margarine, 200 g

• 3 egg yolks, separated

• 1 tsp vanilla extract, 5 ml

• 2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 320 g, plus more for dusting work surface

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Mix the butter and sugar together.

2. Add 2 egg yolks and the vanilla extract, until they're incorporated. Add the flour in and mix until the dough starts to clump together.

3. Lightly flour a work table before placing the mass of dough onto it. Use your hands to shape the dough into a big ball. Then sprinkle some flour on top of the dough before using a rolling pin to roll the dough out. As soon as the dough starts sticking to your pin, sprinkle a pinch of flour on the dough, then resume rolling. Roll your dough out until it's approximately 1/4" thick.

4. Use medium round cookie cutters to cut out round cookies from the dough. Carefully transfer the cookie rounds onto the baking sheet, spaced out from each other. Beat the remaining yolk in a small bowl. Use a fork to make a cross-hatch pattern on the cookies. Brush the tops of the cookies with the beaten egg yolk.

5. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, until they're a deep golden colour, the French like it dark! Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

6. Take pictures and post on the Advent Calendar group, Instagram, don’t forget to tag us and enjoy!!!