Today, I’m opening the fifth door of the Culinary Advent Calendar from 1x umrühren bitte, aka Kochtopf.me, and behind it is a sweet treat from Iran: Shirini Ghandi Qazvin – Simple Persian Sugar Cookies (شیرینی قزوین) or Nan-e Ghandi (نون قندی). These little cookies are so delicate they practically melt in your mouth, and they’re super easy to whip up.
You only need a handful of ingredients: flour, powdered sugar, shortening or coconut fat (the original is made with Ghee), and cardamom. It’s this simplicity that makes them special. Cardamom gives them a unique flavor, but if you’re not into that, they’re just as tasty with a splash of vanilla extract. The mix of cardamom scent and the gentle sweetness makes them stand out. The cool thing? You don’t have to let the dough rise, rest, or chill. So, give the recipe for these yummy Shirini Ghandi a try and see how they turn out!
SHIRINI GHANDI QAZVIN – SIMPLE SUGAR COOKIES
A true Shirini Ghandi is easy to spot thanks to its cracks – but don’t stress, that’s totally normal! Those little cracks are the signature of these Persian sugar cookies, and they make them super appealing. You could say they wear their “wrinkles” with pride; after all, they’re not just any cookies! It’s like they’ve burst with flavors and smells. So if your cookies come out of the oven looking a bit crinkled, that’s a good sign – you nailed it!
The dough can be a bit tricky and needs some gentle handling until it softens and gets flexible. Once you’re there, shaping it is a breeze. I split the dough in half and added cocoa to one part. In the end, I just sprinkled them with poppy seeds – simple but oh-so-good.
These delicate cookies are usually enjoyed in Iran for special occasions and festivals, like the Persian New Year (Nowruz). Just picture how these tasty treats would light up your holiday table! Why not give them a try and bring a bit of Persian flair to your kitchen? Wishing you lots of fun in baking – who knows, these sugar cookies might just become your new go-to recipe!
CULINARY ADVENT CALENDAR
This year, Zorra has come up with something super special to make the holiday season even tastier. Each door of the culinary Advent calendar hides a sweet or savory surprise just for you. I’m so excited to be a part of it again—can you believe it’s the 20th anniversary of this awesome calendar?
I’ve joined in on this Advent calendar fun before, and it’s always such a joy to share little treats with you. Over the years, tons of amazing recipes have been added, and you definitely don’t want to miss out. You might even stumble upon some hidden gems in my past posts that will make your heart—and taste buds—skip a beat! How about giving Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee (gluten-free walnut cookies) – شیرینی پفکی گردویی, Shirini Nargili (Persian coconut cookies) – شیرینی نارگیلی, or Persian Gaz (white nougat with pistachios) a try?
QAZVIN – THE CITY OF SWEETS
Qazvin, a historic city in Iran, is renowned for its delicious sweets, as Shirini Zaban -Persian Puff Pastry, Nan-e Nokhodchi – vegan Chickpea Cookies, Shirini Badami – Almond Cookies, Shirini Nargili – Persische Kokosmakronen شیرینی نارگیلand particularly the famous Shirini Ghandi—simple yet incredibly tasty sugar cookies. However, Qazvin offers much more than just these delightful treats; it is a treasure trove of history, architecture, and Persian culture.
The iconic city gates, known as Darvazeh-e Qazvin, tell fascinating stories about the city’s past as an important center along the Silk Road. The well-preserved city gate is especially impressive, showcasing intricate tile work and an imposing structure. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Qazvin, be sure to include this captivating city in your itinerary. And, of course, don’t forget to sample the Shirini Ghandi for an authentic taste of Qazvin!
THE ART OF SELF-IRONY
People from Qazvin are famous for their sharp humor and knack for self-irony. In Iran, folks often joke about their creative, slightly quirky outlook on life, and the people of Qazvin take it all in stride, usually with a chuckle. There’s a popular saying in Iran that goes: “Leave it to a Qazviner!” It means they can always figure out a creative solution, even if it takes some pretty wild twists and turns.
One classic Qazvin joke brings out the region’s quirks perfectly. Picture this: a guy from Qazvin is dragging his donkey up a flight of stairs. A neighbor sees this and asks, “Why are you pulling that donkey up there?” The Qazviner replies, “He wanted to enjoy the view tonight!” It’s so silly yet charming that it’s hard not to laugh—just typical of Qazvin! This quirky mix of self-irony and mischief isn’t just about jokes; it really reflects their approach to life. It gives the people of Qazvin an incredible zest for life and makes their sense of humor truly special.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE SUGAR COOKIES
150 g Palmin Soft, Ghee or shortening (e.g., Crisco)
150 g powdered sugar
1 tsp cardamom powder
300 g all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cocoa powder
INGREDIENTS TOPPING
2 tbsp poppy seeds
PREPARATION SUGER COOKIES
First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a bowl, mix the shortening or coconut fat and powdered sugar together until it’s all smooth and fluffy. Toss in cardamom for flavor.
Next, sift the flour and baking powder together a few times. Slowly mix that into your sugar and fat combo until a nice, smooth dough forms. Just be careful not to overdo it, or the oil will separate and your cookies won’t rise like they should.
Now, split the dough in half. Into one half, sift in some cocoa powder and knead it in until it’s fully mixed.
Roll out small balls of dough, about the size of hazelnuts, from both halves and place them on a baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with a small tap with your finger. You can sprinkle poppy seeds on top or dip them into a bowl of poppy seeds to get them to stick.
Pop the cookies in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges start to turn a light golden brown.
Make sure to let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them; otherwise, they might crumble.
These sugar cookies go perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee and bring a tasty touch of Qazvin right to your table. Enjoy!
BEFARMAYID!
Susan
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Shirini Qazvin - Simple Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR THE SUGAR COOKIES
- 150 g Palmin Soft, Ghee or shortening e.g., Crisco
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cardamom powder or
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
INGREDIENTS TOPPING
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
PREPARATION SUGER COOKIES
-
First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
-
In a bowl, mix the shortening or coconut fat and powdered sugar together until it’s all smooth and fluffy.
-
Toss in cardamom or vanilla extract for flavor.
-
Next, sift the flour and baking powder together a few times.
-
Slowly mix that into your sugar and fat combo until a nice, smooth dough forms. Just be careful not to overdo it, or the oil will separate and your cookies won’t rise like they should.
-
Now, split the dough in half.
-
Into one half, sift in some cocoa powder and knead it in until it’s fully mixed.
-
Roll out small balls of dough, about the size of hazelnuts, from both halves and place them on a baking sheet.
-
Gently flatten each ball with a small tap with your finger.
-
You can sprinkle poppy seeds on top or dip them into a bowl of poppy seeds to get them to stick.
-
Pop the cookies in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges start to turn a light golden brown.
-
Make sure to let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them; otherwise, they might crumble.
Recipe Notes
These sugar cookies go perfectly with a cup of tea or coffee and bring a tasty touch of Qazvin right to your table. Enjoy!
Save the recipe for later on Pinterest!
Have you cooked this or maybe another delicious recipe of mine? Feel free to leave me a comment below. If you tag your picture on Instagram with @labsalliebe and use the hashtag #labsalliebe, I won’t miss a post and will be happy to leave you a comment as well. Can’t wait to see your creations.
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