Sables | thebrookcook

These simple shortbread-style cookies were minimally sweet with a perfectly crumbly texture. We enjoyed them plain and sandwiched with jam.

This recipe is from Apollonia Poilâne via The New York Times, contributed by Dorie Greenspan. They are included in the book “Poilâne, The Secrets of the World-Famous Bread Bakery,” by Apollonia Poilâne, who heads the legendary Parisian boulangerie. According to the article, the desserts made in the shop are bread-bakers pastries, described as as “less sweet, less fussy and less fussed over.” I chilled the dough in logs rather than rolling and cutting as a shortcut.

Yield: about 60 cookies

125 grams (1/2 cup plus 2 T) granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
250 grams unsalted butter (2 1/4 sticks, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) cut into cubes, softened until creamy
240 grams (2 cups) corn flour
240 grams (1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
jam, for sandwiching the cookies, optional (I used Bonne Maman Four Fruits Preserves)

In a large bowl, working with a mixer on medium speed, beat the sugar, egg and egg yolk until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Add the butter, and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes.
Add the corn flour and all-purpose flour to a medium bowl, and whisk until combined.
Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated.
Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Divide the dough in half, and using parchment paper, shape into 2 logs, about 1 1/4-inches in diameter.
Wrap the logs tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. I place the logs in wrapping paper cardboard to maintain the shape. (I refrigerated the dough overnight- and even longer for a second batch.)(The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.)
To bake, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees, preferably on convection.
Working with 1 log of dough at a time, slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds, rotating the log between slices to make more even slices.
Place the rounds 1/2-inch apart on the baking sheets. (I placed 12 cookies per sheet.)
Bake the cookies until the centers are set and the edges are very lightly browned, 12 minutes on convection. Rotate the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking time.
Immediately transfer the cookies to a wire rack, and let cool completely.
Serve plain or sandwiched with jam. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.