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Oreshki
Caramel-filled walnut cookies
Oreshki (Орешки): walnut-shaped shortbread shells filled with condensed-milk caramel
The cast-iron oreshnitsa, a hinged mould pressed over the gas ring, is in many Russian kitchens just for these: little shortbread walnuts filled with varyonka, condensed milk boiled into caramel. Soviet children helped glue the halves together for New Year and birthdays, and the cookies still come out on a big plate at family tea in Moscow and beyond. A metal oreshki pan or an electric mould is needed. The common mistake is overfilling the halves, so caramel squeezes out and the shells slide apart. Chef's tip: trim the shells with scissors while warm, then fill them only when completely cold.
- Total time
- 90 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
For the shells
- 7 oz soft butter
- 3 ½ oz sugar
- 2 eggs
- 12 ½ oz plain flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
For the filling
- 14 oz caramelised condensed milk (dulce de leche)1 tin
- 1 ¾ oz walnutsfinely chopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Beat 7 oz soft butter and 3 ½ oz sugar until fluffy, beat in 2 eggs, then mix in 12 ½ oz plain flour, ½ tsp baking powder and 1 pinch salt to a soft dough. Chill for 20 minutes.
5 minStep 2: Heat the oreshki pan on both sides over a medium heat. Press a hazelnut-sized ball of dough into each cup, close and cook for about 1–1.5 minutes a side until pale golden. Tip out and repeat with all the dough.
40 minStep 3: Trim the excess edges from the warm shells and leave them to cool completely.
10 minStep 4: Mix 14 oz caramelised condensed milk (dulce de leche) with 1 ¾ oz walnuts. Fill one shell half level with the caramel and press a second half on top. Leave the cookies for an hour to firm up before serving.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 140 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 16 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does oreshki take?
- About 90 minutes in total: 50 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 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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