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Nastar cookies

17/11/2023

Nastar cookies are traditional Indonesian treats, usually prepared during holidays such as Eid al-Fitr. They are particularly known for their caramelized pineapple filling and their soft shortcrust pastry.

However, since Italian cuisine is rich in fruit desserts, I might suggest dusting your Nastar cookies with a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla to add an Italian touch, if you like. Now let’s move on to the recipe:

Ingredients for the shortcrust pastry:

  • 250 grams of butter, softened
  • 50 grams of powdered sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 400 grams of flour
  • 2 tablespoons of milk powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Ingredients for the pineapple filling:

  • 2 fresh pineapples, finely chopped
  • 150 grams of sugar
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Preparation

  1. Start with the filling: place the chopped pineapple in a pan, add sugar, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the pineapple reduces to a jam-like thickness. Remove the cloves and cinnamon stick, then let cool completely.

  2. For the shortcrust pastry: in a bowl, beat the butter with the powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing well.

  3. Add the flour, and if you decide to use the milk powder, add it now. Mix the ingredients until a smooth dough is formed. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour.

  4. Take small portions of dough and flatten them slightly in your hand. Put some of the cooled pineapple filling in the center and close the dough forming a ball.

  5. Arrange the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave space between each treat.

  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 150 °C for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly golden.

  7. Let cool completely before serving.

Trivia

In Indonesia, these treats are considered a symbol of prosperity and are often given as a sign of goodwill during the holidays. The sweetness of the caramelized pineapple combined with the crumbly shortcrust pastry creates a perfect combination that is hard to resist.

Remember that you can always customize your Nastar cookies by adding spices to taste or replacing part of the flour with almond flour for a richer flavor and an Italian touch. Happy baking and enjoy your meal!