Simple shortbread magic: Delight in three ingredients

Shortbread cookies are a classic treat suitable for any occasion – from an everyday dessert to a companion to coffee. What should we do when we want to bake something really quickly? The recipe for cookies with condensed milk and only two additional ingredients is the answer. They’re not only delicious and delicate but also so simple that even those without much baking experience can handle them effortlessly.

The recipe for these cookies is exceptionally simple. We only need three ingredients that we often have in the kitchen and a few minutes of free time.

Ingredients:    

• condensed milk (7 fl oz)
• wheat flour (9 oz)
• butter (3.5 oz)

Condensed milk, though a tasty addition to many dishes, should be consumed in moderation due to its high calorie and sugar content. There are about 320 kcal and a large amount of carbohydrates in 100 grams of the product. Nevertheless, it also provides protein and some vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin B12, which are found in cow's milk.

Preparation:    

1. Start by combining the flour and cold butter. Cut the butter into smaller pieces and rub it with the flour until it forms a crumbly texture. Then add the condensed milk and knead the dough until it becomes uniform and smooth. It's important not to knead too long – this way, the cookies will be more crumbly.
2. Roll out the finished dough to a thickness of about 0.2 inches. Then, using cookie cutters or a glass, cut out cookies of any shape. Alternatively, you can form balls from the dough and gently flatten them.
3. Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with baking paper, keeping spaces between them. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden at the edges. After baking, leave them to cool on a rack.

Condensed milk gives these cookies a delicate sweetness and creamy texture. This ingredient ensures the cookies are perfectly crumbly, yet with a slightly chewy texture inside. Furthermore, the recipe can be easily modified by adding favourite extras like chocolate, nuts, or dried fruit.

Additional Variants:

Although the basic recipe requires only three ingredients, we can add something extra to give the cookies a new character:    

1. With Chocolate: Add chopped chocolate pieces to the dough, or dip the baked cookies in melted chocolate.
2. With Nuts: Add finely chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds to the dough to give the cookies extra crunchiness.
3. With Spices: If you prefer spiced flavours, add a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom to the dough to give the cookies a festive character.

Condensed milk cookies are best stored in an airtight container to maintain their crunchiness. In a dry and cool place, they will stay fresh for about a week. You can also freeze part of the dough before baking to have fresh cookies whenever you fancy a sweet treat.