goji berry cookie
A small bag of dried goji berries was lying in the back of one of my kitchen cupboards waiting to be used. I never seemed to find a dish in which they would taste good. When I was looking for a variation of the classic fruit filled Kolacek cookie from Poland I was glad that I had not used them yet. The berries make a cheerful orange filling with a distinct sweet taste. Goji berries are one of the popular new super foods and are said to to have amazing health benefits that include increasing longevity, protection against cancer, boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. But although they do contain a high concentration of anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals, scientific research has not shown yet that these berries are healthier than other berries. So, unfortunately, this Goji berry cookie probably doesn’t have any other benefits than satisfying cookie cravings.
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Goji berry cookie
for about 20 cookies
for the dough
150 grams softened unsalted butter
60 grams sour cream
200 grams flour
50 grams sugar + extra for sprinkling
grated rind of a ½ lemon
¼ teaspoon powdered ginger
pinch of salt
for the filling
150 grams dried goji berries
50 grams sugar
15 grams butter
grated rind of a ½ lemon
Beat the butter until light and creamy with an electric mixer.
Add the sour cream and beat until it is mixed in well.
Add the flour, the sugar, the grated lemon rind, the ginger and the salt and quickly bring together into a ball.
Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest and firm up in the fridge for about 30 mins.
Divide the dough in two and roll out each piece between 2 pieces of cling film into a rectangle of about ⅛ inch (¼ cm) thick. Keep in the fridge until needed.
Put the dried berries for the filling in a small saucepan and add enough water to submerge them. Bring to the boil and simmer on low heat for about 5 min.
Remove the berries from the water and leave to cool. In a food processor blitz them with the sugar, the butter and the grated rind until smooth.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Spread the filling over 1 piece of dough and cover with the second piece. Cut out rectangles of 10 cm (4 inches) x 1 1/2 cm (¾ inch).
Bake the goji berry cookie in the middle of the oven for about 15 minutes. Take out of the oven and leave to cool on the cookie sheet.
This post is also available in: Dutch
