Pesche Con Crema (Peaches with Cream)

     DA-site-IMGS-dividerBy Vincent PolsinelliRECIPE-DEC14Pesche Con Crema (Peaches with Cream)(20-24 cookies)

DESCRIPTION

Pesche Con Crema is traditional Italian dessert that is sure to put a smile on the whole family’s face during the holidays. Not only are they delicious but look beautiful too as they resemble actual peaches. These cookies are great treats for the family to munch on and to put out for family and friends that visit during the holiday break.

INGREDIENTSDough4 eggs5 oz vegetable oil4 teaspoons baking powder7 oz of sugar27 oz of flourCream Filling2 egg yolks2 tablespoons of sugar2 tablespoons of flour12 oz of 2% milk1 vanilla beanDecoration12.5 oz of Peach Schnapps (or any alcohol of your choice)8 oz of sugar3-4 sprigs of mintsRed food coloringYellow food coloring DIRECTIONSCookies

  1. Combine flour, sugar and baking powder together in a large bowl and create a well.
  2. In a separate bowl whisk your eggs together and slowly add the vegetable oil.
  3. Add your new egg mixture into the bowl with your dry ingredients and mix well until your dough is smooth.
  4. Roughly create 40-44 small balls from the dough (1.5 inches in diameter).
  5. Place the balls on top of parchment paper on an aluminum tray and place them in the centre rack of the oven at 335 °F for approximately 25 minutes (or when slight color is achieved).***Note: When placing cookies into the oven be sure to rate pans for even baking.

Cream Filling

  1. Split one vanilla bean, scrape out the inside and dissolve it inside of the milk.
  2. Whisk together the egg yolks and add it the new milk mixture.
  3. Add the sugar and the flour to the wet ingredients and whisk until the sugar and flour dissolve.
  4. Place your final mixture into a small pot on high heat over the stove and continuously stir until cream filling thickens.
  5. When a smooth texture is achieved convert cream filling to a small bowl and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes or until it has cooled.

Decoration

  1. Take the now baked cookies and carve a small hole out of the flattened half.
  2. After all cookies have been carved, fill the gaps with the cream filling and combine the two cookies to cover the cream.
  3. Split the Peach Schnapps into two separate bowls.
  4. Add 5-8 drops of yellow food coloring in one bowl and 5-8 drops of red food coloring in the other.
  5. Dip one half of your now cream filled cookie in the yellow colored bowl of alcohol and then dip the other half the red colored bowl of alcohol (approximately 8 seconds for each side).
  6. Let the cookies dry for 20 seconds before rolling them in a small bowl of sugar.
  7. When all cookies have been rolled in sugar, garnish each cookie with a mint leaf.