Sunday Flavors

WALNUT AND BROWN SUGAR BROAS COOKIES

Broas cookies are a kind of leaf shaped cookies very traditional in Portugal, especially during religious feasts.
Different kind of broas are cooked all around the country such as corn flour broas (broas de milho), sweet potato broas (broas castelar) and this walnut and brown sugar broas originally from Abrantes, a center region city on the right bank of river Tagus.
The bread made from corn flour or rye flour is also named as broa but today we talk about the cookies. These cookies are perfect to cook and store for a long time, always ready to follow you in a cup of coffee or tea.
Anise powder and cinnamon sticks give these cookies a peculiar flavor that you will like for sure. Try it!

YOU WILL NEED:
500 ml / 17 ½ fl oz of water;
250 ml / 8 ¾ fl oz of extra virgin olive oil
500 gr / 17 ½ oz of brown sugar;
150 gr / 5 ¼ oz of walnuts, chopped
10 gr / 1/3 oz of anise powder;
15 gr / ½ oz of cinnamon sticks;
500 gr / 17 ½ oz of all purpose flour;
2 tablespoons of corn flour;

METHOD:
First step:

In a saucepan incorporate very well water, extra virgin olive oil, brown sugar, walnuts chopped, anise powder and cinnamon sticks;
Bring this mix to a boil for around 5 minutes, cut the heat and let it cool;

Second step:

To the warm mix add all purpose flour and corn flour;
Always stirring, let it cook in medium heat till the mix is strong as a bread dough and with a little more dark brown color (around 10 to 15 minutes in a very strengthening exercise to your arms);
Let it cool again till you can shape the cookies with your hands;

Third step:

Remove the cinnamon sticks;
Leaf shape the broas cookies with no more then 7.5 cm / 3 inches;
Place on a prepared baking tray and bake it in preheated oven to 220º C / 430º F during 10 to 15 minutes;
After bake sprinkle the top with sugar and let it cool.