Almond Delight Mantecaditos
Indulge in these delightful Almond Delight Mantecaditos—traditional shortbread cookies with a twist. With rich buttery flavors, hints of nutmeg, and the aromatic essence of almond and vanilla, these melt-in-your-mouth cookies are perfect for sharing during festive gatherings or as a sweet treat any day of the week. The colorful maraschino cherry garnish adds a lovely touch, transforming these cookies into a charming dessert that appeals to all ages. Bake a batch and enjoy the warmth of homemade goodness!
N/A
Servings
50
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
2 1/4 cups (all-purpose flour)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Butter
3/4 cup (softened)
Shortening
1/4 cup (softened)
Almond Extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (pure or artificial almond extract)
Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon (pure vanilla extract)
Sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
Maraschino Cherries
5 (sliced into 8 pieces each)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the center.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and shortening using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
4
Gradually add the sugar to the butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated. Follow up with the almond extract and vanilla extract, mixing well.
5
Slowly blend in the flour mixture into the butter mixture until a moist dough forms. The dough should be slightly tacky to the touch.
6
Using a teaspoon, scoop out portions of the dough and roll them into small balls, avoiding the use of your hands for a light texture.
7
Arrange the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use the bottom of a glass or your fingers to gently press down on each ball to flatten slightly.
8
Slice the maraschino cherries into 8 small pieces, and place one piece on top of each cookie for a touch of color and flavor.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
3.25g
Fat
4.75g
Carbs
0.375g
Protein
1.25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Almond Delight Mantecaditos?
They are traditional shortbread cookies with a twist, featuring rich buttery flavors, nutmeg, almond, and vanilla essence, topped with maraschino cherries.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Where should the oven rack be positioned for baking?
The rack should be positioned in the center of the oven.
How much flour is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
What spice is mixed with the flour?
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg is whisked together with the flour.
How much butter and shortening should I use?
Use 3/4 cup of softened butter and 1/4 cup of softened shortening.
What is the first step in mixing the wet ingredients?
Cream together the softened butter and shortening using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
What extracts are used for flavoring?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of almond extract and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
When should I add the sugar to the mixture?
Gradually add the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to the butter mixture after it has been creamed, beating until fully incorporated.
What should the consistency of the dough be?
The dough should be moist and slightly tacky to the touch.
What is the best way to roll the dough into balls?
Scoop portions with a teaspoon and roll them into small balls, avoiding excessive use of your hands to maintain a light texture.
Should I grease the cookie sheet?
No, the dough balls should be arranged on an ungreased cookie sheet.
How far apart should the cookies be spaced?
Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
How do I flatten the cookies?
Use the bottom of a glass or your fingers to gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly.
How many maraschino cherries do I need?
You need 5 maraschino cherries, which should be sliced into 8 small pieces each.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake them for approximately 20 minutes.
How can I tell when the Mantecaditos are done?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden.
Where should the cookies cool after baking?
Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains 50 calories.
What is the fat content per cookie?
There are 3.25g of fat per cookie.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 4.75g of carbohydrates.
How much sugar is in each cookie?
There is 1.25g of sugar in each cookie.
How much protein does a cookie provide?
Each cookie provides 0.375g of protein.
Can I use artificial almond extract?
Yes, you can use either pure or artificial almond extract.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients in this recipe.
What makes these cookies a good dessert for holidays?
Their buttery shortbread texture, aromatic almond flavor, and colorful cherry garnish make them festive and appealing.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
Granulated sugar is recommended for these cookies.
Is there any salt or sodium listed in the nutrition?
The provided nutritional data does not list a specific sodium count.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include mantecaditos, shortbread cookies, almond cookies, drop cookies, and holiday baking.
What is the unique garnish on top?
A small slice of a maraschino cherry is placed on top of each cookie for color and flavor.