The traditional sweets They never fail at Bezzia for Christmas. Among them, mantecados are one of the most emblematic. Those who have not yet dared to prepare their own mantecados probably think that certain advanced skills in the kitchen are required to achieve it, but nothing could be further from the truth. Today we teach you how to prepare hazelnut shortbread, a simple recipe that anyone can make at home.
These hazelnut shortbreads are perfect for sweetening the holidays and surprising your guests with something homemade and delicious. You will only need: four ingredients basic ingredients and a little time to get a spectacular result. Do you dare to prepare them? In addition, these sweets can be an excellent gift option for your family and friends. If you liked them, be sure to try the hojaldrinas, another Christmas classic that will surprise you.
Ingredients
- 100 g. hazelnut
- 200 g. pastry flour
- 100 g. icing sugar
- 100 g. lard at room temperature
Step by step
- Toast the hazelnuts: Spread the hazelnuts on a baking tray and roast them for 20 minutes at 140ºC. When you take them out, rub them with your hands to remove the skin. Once they have cooled, crush them and set them aside.
- Toast the flour: Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread the flour on it. Toast it in the oven for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes slightly golden and has a looser texture. Then, allow it to cool.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix the previously cooled flour, the crushed hazelnuts, the butter and the icing sugar. Work the dough with your hands or with a food processor until all the ingredients are combined and form a cohesive ball. Wrap this dough in plastic and refrigerate it for at least one hour in a cool place.
- Make the shortbreads: Work with half the dough at a time for easier handling. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1 cm. Use a rolling pin carefully, as the dough is fragile. Using cookie cutters, cut the mantecados into desired shapes and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 180ºC and bake the mantecados for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them near the end to prevent them from over-browning.
- Let cool and decorate: Once baked, carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Tips for a perfect result
- The quality of hazelnuts is key. Opt for fresh, unsalted hazelnuts to ensure better flavor.
- If you want an extra touch of flavor, add a pinch of ground cinnamon or lemon zest to the dough. This will add a unique nuance to your shortbreads.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to make it easier to handle. If it is too hard, you can soften it slightly in the microwave.
- Store the mantecados in a airtight box to keep them fresher for longer. You can also wrap them individually in tissue paper to preserve their texture and present them elegantly.
At this special time of year, there is nothing like enjoying a homemade sweet made with dedication. In addition, preparing mantecados at home is a great activity to do with the family, especially with the little ones. Go ahead and experiment with this recipe and make your Christmas an unforgettable moment full of flavor.
