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Korzhiki

Shortbread rounds

Korzhiki (Коржики): scalloped school-canteen shortbread rounds

Every Soviet schoolchild knew korzhiki, the plump scalloped biscuits sold at the canteen counter for a few kopecks with a glass of milk. Made with sour cream and a little honey, they are firm on the outside and soft and cakey inside, pale gold, with a fork-pricked top. Russians still bake them at home for after-school snacks. The common mistake is rolling the dough too thin, which makes hard biscuits instead of soft little cakes. Chef's tip: roll to a full 8 mm and pull them from the oven while the edges are still pale; they firm up as they cool.
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
14
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Ingredients

Serves14
  • 3 ½ oz soft butter
  • 4 oz sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 egg
  • 3 ½ oz sour cream
  • 13 ½ oz plain flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp milkfor brushing

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Method

0/4 done
  1. Step 1: Beat 3 ½ oz soft butter, 4 oz sugar and 1 tbsp honey until creamy, then beat in 1 egg and 3 ½ oz sour cream.

    5 min
  2. Step 2: Mix in 13 ½ oz plain flour and 1 ½ tsp baking powder to a soft dough that doesn't stick to your hands. Chill for 15 minutes.

    5 min
  3. Step 3: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Roll the dough 8 mm thick, cut rounds with a 7–8 cm fluted cutter and lay them on a lined tray. Prick each with a fork a few times and brush with 1 tbsp milk.

    5 min
  4. Step 4: Bake for 11–13 minutes until risen and pale golden underneath. Cool on a rack.

    13 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
220 kcal
Protein
4 g
Carbs
31 g
Fat
9 g
Fibre
1 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does korzhiki take?
About 35 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
14 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegetarian?
Yes. It has no meat or fish.
What can I use instead of soft butter?
The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
What can I use instead of sugar?
Caster sugar, same amount.

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