Deliciously spiked with cardamom and rosewater, serve these cookies blanketed in icing sugar with freshly brewed coffee, scented with a cardamom pod or two.

Ingredients

• 200 grams butter, softened
• ¼ cup caster sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
• 3 tablespoons brandy
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ cup flaked almonds, finely chopped
• 1½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon rosewater
• ¾ cup icing sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160ºC. Lightly grease 1-2 baking trays or line with baking paper.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, 1 tablespoon of the brandy, cardamom and almonds.
3. Sift the flour and baking powder together and stir into the creamed mixture to form a soft, manageable dough.
4. Taking 1 tablespoon of dough at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to make a thick oval, about 5-6cm long and 2-3cm wide. Place on the prepared trays and pinch the ends to make a crescent shape. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until pale, golden and firm. Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes.
6. Mix the rosewatr and remaining brandy together and use a pastry brush to brush each biscuit lightly while they are still warm. Dust generously with icing sugar.
7. Transfer to a cake rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Cooks Tips

Did you know? A horseshore or crescent shape symbolises good luck.