PIERRE HERMé'S ISPAHAN SABLéS

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Pierre Hermé's Ispahan Sablés image

Pierre Hermé, France's most celebrated pastry chef, has created a family of desserts called Ispahan, named for the ancient city in Persia that was famous for roses. Each of the almost 40 members of the clan include the flavors of roses and raspberries and many include lychees, too. They're all memorably aromatic and their flavors are haunting. This sablé, a French shortbread, might be the simplest sweet in the family, but its textures and tastes are no less sophisticated - or irresistible - for being easy slice-and-bakes. The cookies get both their flavor and fragrance from freeze-dried raspberries and rose extract. I've been using Star Kay White extract. If you choose a different one, start with just a little and then decide if you'd like more. Floral flavorings can be tricky - a little is lovely, just a smidge more than that can be too much.

Provided by Dorie Greenspan

Categories     cookies and bars, dessert

Time 1h45m

Yield About 60 cookies.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup (60 grams) sanding sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure rose extract (like Star Kay White)
Red liquid food coloring
1/2 cup (10 grams) freeze-dried raspberries
1 1/2 cups (204 grams) all-purpose flour
1 stick plus 3 tablespoons (155 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup (67 grams) sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure rose extract (like Star Kay White)
1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel

Steps:

  • To make the sugar: Put the sugar, extract and a few drops of coloring in a small zipper-lock plastic bag, seal the bag and shake until the color is even. Add more color if you'd like.
  • To make the sablés: Put the raspberries between sheets of wax paper, and crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a skillet. Don't expect perfection - it's fine to have mostly powder and a few small nuggets. Whisk the raspberries into the flour.
  • Working with a mixer, beat the butter at medium speed until it's soft and creamy, but not airy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar, extract and fleur de sel, and beat 3 minutes more. Turn the mixer off, scrape down the bowl, add the flour mixture all at once and pulse the mixer on and off to begin incorporating the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough forms soft curds and then starts to clean the sides of the bowl. Give it a few last turns with a spatula, then scrape it out onto the counter. Divide the dough into 4 pieces, and roll each into an 8-inch-long log.
  • Spread the sugar out on a piece of wax paper, and roll the logs in the sugar until they're completely coated. Wrap each log in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 days.
  • When you're ready to bake, position the racks to divide the oven into thirds, and preheat it to 325. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Unwrap the logs, trim the ends if they're ragged and cut the logs into ½-inch-thick rounds. Place them on the baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each round.
  • Bake the cookies for 19 to 21 minutes, rotating the sheets top to bottom and front to back after 10 minutes, or until the cookies are firm around the edges and golden brown on the bottom; the tops will remain pale. Rest the sablés for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks. Serve - or pack into a container - when the cookies come to room temperature.

Nimra Iman
[email protected]

I'm not sure what to think about these cookies. They sound interesting, but I'm not sure if I'll like them.


Imran M
[email protected]

I'm not a big fan of baking, but I'm willing to give these cookies a try. They look too good to pass up.


Rafiya Yussif
[email protected]

These cookies look so complicated to make. I don't think I'm skilled enough to pull it off.


Annaliese Reynolds
[email protected]

I'm not sure if I can find all of the ingredients for these cookies. I'll have to see what I can find at the store.


Yeamin Khan
[email protected]

I'm going to make these cookies for my next party. I think my friends will love them.


Kanye Jones
[email protected]

These cookies sound really interesting. I've never had anything like them before.


Maryjane Ababa
[email protected]

I'm not sure if I'll like these cookies. I'm not a big fan of raspberry.


Kingsley Onuabuchi
[email protected]

I can't wait to try these cookies! They look so delicious.


Mahammahi mahi
[email protected]

These cookies are so beautiful! I love the way the pink and green colors swirl together.


Adnan Dane
[email protected]

I had some trouble finding pistachio frangipane, so I used almond frangipane instead. The cookies still turned out great!


Mule Byars
[email protected]

These cookies were a little too sweet for my taste, but they were still very good. I would probably reduce the amount of sugar next time.


Sanusi Ibrahim
[email protected]

I'm not a huge fan of rose-flavored desserts, but I loved these cookies! The raspberry and pistachio flavors really shine through.


Md.Anamul Ahimed
[email protected]

I made these cookies for a party and they were a hit! Everyone loved them. They're so flavorful and unique.


Davide Garberi
[email protected]

These cookies were absolutely delightful! The combination of flavors and textures was perfect. The raspberry and rose flavors were well-balanced, and the pistachio frangipane added a lovely richness. The cookies were also very easy to make, and they