These nian gao-stuffed cookies are chewy, tender, and crisp! I used white sugar nian gao for these cookies but feel free to use any type of nian gao for the centre. I think brown sugar or coconut-flavoured nian gao would be just as good in these cookies. Any nian gao from your new year's day celebrations will do!
Makes 8large cookies
Ingredients
140g(1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature
126g(1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp) brown sugar
100g(1/2 cup) granulated sugar
2tspvanilla extract
1large egg, room temperature
220g(1 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp) all-purpose flour
1tspsalt
3/4tspbaking powder
1/2tspbaking soda
8piecesnian gao, cut into (1-inch cubes, 1/2-inch thick)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until they are smooth, about 1 minute.
Add the vanilla and egg to the butter mixture and mix on medium speed until they are fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in two batches to the butter mixture, and mix until the ingredients are just combined, about 1 minute.
Divide the dough into 8 balls of dough.
Using you thumb, create an indent at the centre of the ball of dough. Place a piece of nian gao and the centre, and lightly pinch the dough to cover up the nian gao.
Place filled dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Top each dough ball with flaky salt
Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are caramelized along the edges and the centres are just set. If you would like your cookies to have the crinkled edges, give the pan a few taps on the oven rack before you take them out of the oven.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Cookies are best served the day they are baked. You can reheat the cookie (to soften the nian gao) the next day in the microwave for 10 - 15 second after the first day.