Hello, Good News! Welcome to another delicious article where we share with you some of the best recipes from around the world. Today, we are going to introduce you to a special kind of cookie that is spicy, exotic, and buttery. They are called Russian Rock Cookies, and they are perfect for dunking in a hot cup of tea or mulled apple cider.
What are Russian Rock Cookies, you may ask? Well, they are not really from Russia, but they have a long and interesting history that dates back to the 1930s. They are also known as Fruit Rock Cookies or Christmas Rock Cookies, and they are made with raisins, nuts, spices, and sometimes dates or cocoa. They have a crunchy texture and a rich flavor that will make your mouth water.
Why You Should Try Russian Rock Cookies
If you are looking for a new and exciting cookie recipe to try, you should definitely give Russian Rock Cookies a chance. Here are some of the reasons why you should try them:
They are easy to make
One of the best things about Russian Rock Cookies is that they are very easy to make. You don’t need any special equipment or skills to whip up a batch of these cookies. All you need is a large bowl, a wooden spoon, and a baking sheet. You just mix the ingredients together, drop them by teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheet, and bake them for about 12 minutes. That’s it!
They are gluten-free and dairy-free
If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, you will be happy to know that Russian Rock Cookies can be made gluten-free and dairy-free. You just need to use a gluten-free flour mix, a dairy-free vegetable shortening, and an egg replacer. These substitutions will not affect the taste or texture of the cookies, and they will make them suitable for people who are allergic or intolerant to gluten or dairy.
They are full of flavor
Another reason why you should try Russian Rock Cookies is that they are full of flavor. They have a combination of sweet and spicy ingredients that create a unique and delicious taste. You can use golden raisins, pecans, dates, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice to make these cookies. You can also add some bourbon or lemon juice for an extra kick. These cookies will fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma and your mouth with a burst of flavor.
How to Make Russian Rock Cookies
Now that you know why you should try Russian Rock Cookies, let’s get to the fun part: how to make them. Here is a simple and easy recipe that you can follow to make these cookies at home:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dairy-free, soy-free vegetable shortening
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 1/4 cup rice milk
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 1/2 teaspoons hot water
- 1 1/4 cups Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix (page 19)
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and sugar, mixing on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg replacer and baking soda mixture, and mix for 30 seconds.
- Combine 1/4 cup of the flour mix with the raisins. Set aside.
- Whisk together the remaining 1 cup flour mix, xanthan gum, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add the flour mixture to the creamed batter and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the raisins and mix.
- Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheets. Bake for 12 minutes in the center of the oven, or until golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Nutrition Facts and Tips
One of the questions that you may have about Russian Rock Cookies is how nutritious they are. Well, here are some facts and tips that you should know about these cookies:
Nutrition Facts
According to the recipe above, one Russian Rock Cookie (about 2 inches in diameter) has the following nutrition facts:
| Calories | Carbohydrates | Fat | Protein | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94.8 | 14.5 g | 4.1 g | 0.6 g | 8.7 g |
These cookies are relatively low in calories and fat, but high in sugar and carbohydrates. They also have some fiber, iron, and calcium.
Tips
If you want to make these cookies healthier or more suitable for your diet, here are some tips that you can follow:
- You can reduce the amount of sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- You can use whole wheat flour or oat flour instead of gluten-free flour for more fiber and protein.
- You can add some flax seeds, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
- You can use dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots instead of raisins for more vitamin C and less sugar.
- You can use almonds, pistachios, or cashews instead of pecans for more vitamin E and magnesium.
FAQs About Russian Rock Cookies
You may have some questions about Russian Rock Cookies that we haven’t answered yet. Well, don’t worry, because we have prepared a list of FAQs that will help you learn more about these cookies. Here they are:
What is the origin of Russian Rock Cookies?
The origin of Russian Rock Cookies is not very clear, but some sources suggest that they were created in the 1930s in the United States during the Great Depression. They were made with simple and inexpensive ingredients that were available at the time, such as raisins, nuts, spices, and shortening. They were also called Fruit Rock Cookies or Christmas Rock Cookies because they were often made during the holiday season.
Why are they called Russian Rock Cookies?
The name Russian Rock Cookies is also a mystery, but there are some possible explanations. One is that they were named after the Russian immigrants who brought them to America. Another is that they were inspired by the Russian tea cakes or snowball cookies that are similar in shape and texture. A third is that they were named after the rock candy or rock sugar that was used to sweeten them.
How do you store Russian Rock Cookies?
Russian Rock Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months. To thaw them, just let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
How do you serve Russian Rock Cookies?
Russian Rock Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with some accompaniments to enhance their flavor. Some of the best options are:
- A hot cup of tea or coffee
- A glass of milk or almond milk
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- A drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar or shredded coconut
Can you make Russian Rock Cookies vegan?
Yes, you can make Russian Rock Cookies vegan by using some plant-based alternatives. You can use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of vegetable shortening, agave nectar or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar, and flax eggs or chia eggs instead of egg replacer. You can also use vegan chocolate sauce or caramel sauce if you want to serve them with some toppings.
Can you make Russian Rock Cookies keto?
Yes, you can make Russian Rock Cookies keto by using some low-carb ingredients. You can use almond flour or coconut flour instead of gluten-free flour, erythritol or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, and sugar-free chocolate chips or dried berries instead of raisins. You can also use heavy cream or coconut cream if you want to serve them with some toppings.
Can you make Russian Rock Cookies paleo?
Yes, you canmake Russian Rock Cookies paleo by using some natural and unprocessed ingredients. You can use almond flour or cassava flour instead of gluten-free flour, raw honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar, and organic raisins or dried figs instead of conventional raisins. You can also use grass-fed butter or ghee instead of vegetable shortening, and pasture-raised eggs instead of egg replacer. You can also use homemade whipped cream or coconut whipped cream if you want to serve them with some toppings.
Can you make Russian Rock Cookies nut-free?
Yes, you can make Russian Rock Cookies nut-free by using some nut-free alternatives. You can use sunflower seed flour or oat flour instead of gluten-free flour, sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of pecans, and sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of nuts. You can also use soy milk or rice milk instead of rice milk, and soy-free vegan butter or palm oil shortening instead of vegetable shortening.
Can you make Russian Rock Cookies sugar-free?
Yes, you can make Russian Rock Cookies sugar-free by using some sugar-free sweeteners. You can use stevia or xylitol instead of granulated sugar, and sugar-free dried fruits or fresh fruits instead of raisins. You can also use unsweetened chocolate chips or cacao nibs instead of chocolate sauce, and unsweetened coconut flakes or nuts instead of powdered sugar.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about Russian Rock Cookies and learned how to make them at home. These cookies are a spicy and exotic treat that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart. They are also versatile and adaptable to different diets and preferences. You can make them gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto, paleo, nut-free, or sugar-free with some simple substitutions.
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