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Cornstarch cookies (Biscoito de Maizena)

Cornstarch cookies in a glass jar.
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Biscoito de maizena (Brazilian cornstarch cookies, also called sequilhos) are 3-ingredient, naturally gluten-free cookies with a light, tender, crumbly texture. Made with cornstarch, butter, and sweetened condensed milk, they need no chilling and bake in about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 can (197 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups + 1 1/2 tablespoons (250 g) cornstarch
  • 3.5 oz. (100 g) unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Prepare two baking sheets lined with parchment paper and set them aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and condensed milk with an electric mixer. Slowly add cornstarch, a little bit at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon, then continue mixing with your hands. Knead the cookie dough well until smooth and homogeneous.
  3. Using your hands, roll the dough into small 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the cookies. Flatten the top of each ball with a fork. Extra tip: If desired, transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a pastry tip and pipe the rose-looking cookies. Experiment with different tips and shapes, but you will probably need some skill since the dough is quite hard.
  4. Bake the cookies on the top rack of your oven for 10 minutes (bottom heat only). They are ready when the bottoms of the cookies turn slightly golden. Let the sweet treats cool on a wire rack, then serve.

Notes

  1. Measure cornstarch correctly using a kitchen scale or measuring cups with a scoop-and-level method, the same as measuring the flour.
  2. The best way to make the dough is with a hand mixer; however, you can mix it without one too. Just use a rubber spatula instead.
  3. To make your cookies identical, use a teaspoon or melon baller to spoon the dough. 
  4. If you make cookies on a hot day, bring the cookies to the fridge while preheating the oven. Keep the second batch of cookies in the refrigerator while baking the first batch.
  5. If desired, you can bake cookies on greased cookie sheets (use butter or margarine).
  6. Don't overbake cookies: they should look quite pale. Remove them from the oven once their bottoms begin to turn golden.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.bakinglikeachef.com/biscoito-de-maizena-cornstarch-cookies/