Buttery Semolina Currant Cookies

Photo: Lisa Romerein; Styling: Rori Trovato

Yields Makes about 30 cookies
Time: 40 minutes, plus 2 hours to chill. The sandy texture of these shortbreadlike cookies comes from semolina, made from durum wheat and usually used for pasta. Orange zest and currants impart lots of flavor.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a small bowl, cover currants with very hot water. Let sit for 10 minutes; drain.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, combine flour, semolina, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg, scrape down inside of bowl, and mix until combined. Add flour mixture, orange zest, and currants, mixing slowly until combined. Turn dough onto a work surface and shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.

Step 3
3

Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap dough, place on a floured work surface, and roll 1/3 in. thick. Evenly sprinkle 2 baking sheets with about 1 tbsp. cornmeal each. Cut dough with a 2-in. decorative cutter and place slightly apart on baking sheets, rerolling scraps as needed.

Step 4
4

Bake cookies until light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, switching pan positions halfway through cooking. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

Step 5
5

*Find in the baking aisle of well-stocked markets.

Step 6
6

Make ahead: Store airtight up to 5 days.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per cookie.

Ingredients

 3/4 cup dried currants
 1 1/2 cups flour
 3/4 cup fine semolina*
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 cup unsalted butter
 1/2 cup powdered sugar
 1 large egg
 1 tablespoon finely shredded orange zest
  About 2 tbsp. cornmeal

Directions

Step 1
1

In a small bowl, cover currants with very hot water. Let sit for 10 minutes; drain.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, combine flour, semolina, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg, scrape down inside of bowl, and mix until combined. Add flour mixture, orange zest, and currants, mixing slowly until combined. Turn dough onto a work surface and shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.

Step 3
3

Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap dough, place on a floured work surface, and roll 1/3 in. thick. Evenly sprinkle 2 baking sheets with about 1 tbsp. cornmeal each. Cut dough with a 2-in. decorative cutter and place slightly apart on baking sheets, rerolling scraps as needed.

Step 4
4

Bake cookies until light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, switching pan positions halfway through cooking. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

Step 5
5

*Find in the baking aisle of well-stocked markets.

Step 6
6

Make ahead: Store airtight up to 5 days.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per cookie.

Buttery Semolina Currant Cookies

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