Experience the enchantment of crafting Pierre Hermé’s renowned Diamond Delight Cookies, named for their sparkling sugar facets. While the visual mastery might take a bit of practice, the taste is pure ecstasy. These delicate confections boast a crisp exterior and a tender, crumbly heart that simply melts in your mouth.
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Ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter, at room temperature — 230 g (1 cup)
- Confectioners’ Sugar (not granulated sugar!) — 105 g (1 cup)
- All-Purpose Flour — 330 g (2.5 cups)
- Vanilla Extract — 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt — 1/4 teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar — for sprinkling
- Egg — 1
Instructions:
- Cream room-temperature butter with confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth. A spatula or mixer works well; intense beating is not necessary. Note: Confectioners’ sugar is essential for achieving the delicate texture of the dough.
- Add salt, vanilla extract, and sifted flour to the butter mixture.
- Knead into a soft and smooth dough using a spatula or a food processor.
- Shape the dough into small cylinders with a diameter of 2 cm (about 0.8 inches), keeping the length around 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) for ease of handling.
- Chill the dough cylinders in the refrigerator until fully set; ideally, overnight. The longer it rests, the more manageable it becomes. I placed mine in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the chilled cylinders. Gently mix the egg (do not beat) and generously brush each cylinder with it.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar generously over the surface of each cylinder. It’s easier to sprinkle the sugar on the surface and roll the dough over it a few times.
Let’s Shape the Cookies:
- Slice each cylinder into small pieces approximately 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) thick. Prepare a very sharp and thin knife in advance for this.
- Grease a baking sheet with butter and neatly place the cookie pieces on it.
Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cookies turn golden brown.
- Keep a close eye on the oven, and once the cookies are golden, remove them promptly.
- Behold your Diamond Delight Cookies – a sparkling triumph!
