Turkish Apple Cookies (Elmali Kurabiye)
With a buttery exterior and a sweet, spiced apple filling, these cookies are a staple in Turkish bakeries and you can now make them in the comfort of your own home.
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 stick Unsalted butter softened
- 2 tbsp Powdered sugar
- ½ tsp Baking powder
- 1½ cups All purpose flour
- 2-3 tbsp Milk
Filling
- 2 Apples peeled and grated
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Chopped walnuts optional
Topping
- Powdered sugar optional
Instructions
Filling
- Place a small pan over medium heat. Add the grated apples with cinnamon and granulated sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until the apples are soft and aromatic. Stir in the chopped walnuts, turn off the heat and set the apple mixture aside to cool.
Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, powdered sugar and baking powder using a spatula. Gradually add the flour and milk, mixing until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and shape them into balls.
- On a floured surface, roll each dough ball into a small circle. Place a small plate (6 or 8 inches) over the dough and cut around it to create a clean circle, gathering and re-rolling any excess dough to avoid waste.
- Cut each circle into 8 triangles, similar to slicing a pizza. Place a small amount of the apple filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll the dough toward the narrow end to form a crescent shape. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely. If desired, dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Video
Notes
Soften the Butter: Make sure the butter is soft but not melted for the best dough consistency. To soften the butter quickly, fill a glass with hot water, empty it, and place it upside down over the butter to soften it quickly.
Apple Variety: Use any type of apple you like. Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith all work well, depending on your preference for sweetness or tartness.
Don’t Overfill: Use a small amount of filling to ensure the cookies roll properly and don’t burst open during baking.
Nutrition
Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.4mg