Colombian Nut Pastry 2

Ingredients

• 250 gflour
• 150 gnuts — chopped
• 100 gbutter
• 100 gsugar
• 1egg

Method

1. Begin by bringing the 100 g of butter to room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough, ensuring a smooth texture. Meanwhile, crack the egg into a small bowl and let it sit at room temperature as well. This helps the egg blend more evenly when mixed with the other ingredients.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 250 g of flour and 100 g of sugar. Stir them together with a wooden spoon until they are well mixed. Add the softened butter to the flour and sugar mixture. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Chop 150 g of nuts into small, even pieces. Add these nuts to the flour, sugar, and butter mixture. Stir them in gently, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This will give a uniform nutty flavor and texture to the pastry.
4. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the room temperature egg. Use a fork to gradually incorporate the egg into the flour mixture, starting from the center and working outwards. Continue until a dough begins to form. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour until it is manageable.
5. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for a few minutes. The dough should be smooth and not sticky. Form it into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This resting period helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out later.
6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into desired shapes using a cookie cutter or a knife. Place the cut pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece.
7. Bake the pastries in the preheated oven until they are golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes. The edges should be slightly darker than the center, and the pastries should feel firm to the touch. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, the pastries can be finished with a light dusting of sugar if desired. Serve them at room temperature, allowing the nutty flavors to shine through. These pastries are perfect for sharing, embodying the warmth and hospitality of a Colombian home.