Desert Roses

Desert Roses are cookies that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, known for their appearance that resembles that of the rock formations in the desert. They are simple to prepare and primarily consist of cereal (usually cornflakes) and chocolate.

Ingredients

• 100 grams of soft butter
• 100 grams of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200 grams of 00 flour
• 1 sachet of vanillin or a teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Cornflakes (enough to cover the dough)
• (Optional) 100 grams of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 160-170 °C.
2. In a bowl, cream the soft butter with sugar until you have a frothy mixture.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, continuing to mix.
4. Incorporate the sifted flour with baking powder, vanillin and a pinch of salt, and mix until you get a smooth dough.
5. If you decide to use chocolate chips, add them to the dough and stir to distribute them evenly.
6. Pour the cornflakes on a flat plate and slightly crush them.
7. With your hands, take small portions of dough, forming balls the size of a walnut.
8. Roll the balls in the cornflakes so that they are completely coated.
9. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, keeping some distance between them.
10. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until they are slightly golden.
11. Let the Desert Roses cool on a wire rack before serving.

This recipe can be enriched by adding chopped dried fruit, such as almonds or hazelnuts, which can be added to the dough together with the chocolate chips for an extra touch.

Desert Roses are a versatile sweet that can be personalized according to one’s tastes, a great idea to accompany coffee or for a sweet snack during the day.