Torticas de Moron (Cuban Sugar Cookies)

Torticas de Moron / Cuban Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies from the Cuban town of Moron, Torticas de Moron, are crunchy and sweet with vanilla and lime. They’re traditionally made with lard but this version with butter is just as good. For a special touch, mix a little cream cheese with guava paste or jam and spread on the cookies before serving. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup + 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 large egg, separated
• 2½ cups flour
• Pinch of salt
• Grated rind of 2 limes
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Beat the butter and 1 cup of sugar with a mixer until light and creamy.
2. Add the egg yolk and beat well.
3. Add the flour, vanilla, salt and half the lime rind. Mix well to combine.
4. Divide the dough in half and form 2 rolls, each about 2″ thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
6. Cut thin slices (about 1/5″ thick) of dough and place them on the cookies sheet. Brush cookies with the egg white. Mix the remaining lime rind and sugar and sprinkle over the cookies. 
7. Bake for 12-15 min, until done. They should stay fairly pale.

Adapted from Cookie Companion.