Spiced Sables
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Author Notes: When I attended the Piglet Party, I tasted Dorie Greenspan’s chocolate sables and fell in love. Chocolaty, crispy and not too sweet, they were absolutely addictive. (And they were shaped like pigs!) I’ve been wanting to make sables, and there are two recipes in The Essential New York Times Cookbook for them: one by Dorie Greenspan, and one by Pierre Herme. To make these, I adapted both recipes. Dorie’s instructions are impeccable, and I loved Pierre’s idea of using brown sugar with all the warm spices. The dough has to be refrigerated for a couple of hours at least, and I think it's best when refrigerated overnight—the flavors seem to meld together better. If possible, use fresh-ground spices, but one of the great things about cookies is that you can make them on the spur of the moment with what you have in the house—so if you have pre-ground allspice or cinnamon, etc., it’s OK to use that—just make sure the spices are really fresh.
- drbabs
Makes ~20
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- generous pinch or two of fresh-ground black pepper
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices and set aside.
- In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter till it is smooth and creamy, occasionally scraping chunks off the beater to fully incorporate. Add sugars and beat until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, and beat in egg yolk till well blended.
- Add the flour mixture and mix on the lowest speed until the flour is just incorporated, mixing as little as possible. The dough will be crumbly. It's OK.
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap onto your work surface, and scrape the dough onto it, using the plastic wrap to help you form a log that is about 1.5 inches in diameter and about 7 inches long. Wrap well and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
- Center a rack in the oven and heat it to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp, thin-bladed knife, slice the log into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Place on the cookie sheet about 1.5 inches apart, and sprinkle lightly with turbinado sugar, pressing it gently into the top of the cookies. Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, till lightly golden around the edges and on the bottom, but still pale on top. Let the cookies rest for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. You may need to make these in 2 batches because they do spread a bit; if so, wait till the cookie sheet cools completely before starting the second batch.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Cardamom
Tags: can be made ahead, Crunchy, doubed easily, spicy
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over 2 years ago dymnyno
These look gorgeous. I have made Dorie's and Pierre Herme's chocolate cookie which Dorie calls the World Peace cookie!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Love that!
over 2 years ago Sagegreen
Just noticed you have pictures now! Wow, what a gorgeous stack. I could eat them all!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Thanks!
over 2 years ago testkitchenette
I love the restraint on the sugar and that they are slice and bake style. They would make a great base for a pie as well I think!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Interesting suggestion--what would you fill it with?
over 2 years ago testkitchenette
I think pumpkin, apple, or pear would go nicely. A coconut cheesecake or mango/banana cheesecake also comes to mind. Maybe even a chocolate tart with this as the bottom. Mixed with oatmeal, it would make a great crisp topping as well, crumbled on top of ice cream too. I make granola and baked oatmeals all the time and this is going to be my new flavor base. Thank you for the inspiration!
over 2 years ago Sundayinthekitchen
Yum -- I love that it's more spice than sugar-focused. Will definitely try this one.
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
The pepper gives it a nice kick.
over 2 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian
Ooooh, I'm saving this one for sure. I've made Herme's chocolate sable recipe maybe 50 times now, so I know I'm going to love your take on it!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Yours probably look prettier than mine!
over 2 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian
Don't count on that!
over 2 years ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Awesome addition to the sables! I bet these smell amazing baking.
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
All those spices...really warmed up the house.
over 2 years ago dymnyno
OH This is a keeper!
over 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
:) Thanks! I'll put pictures up tomorrow!