Best Italian Polenta Cookies Recipes

Basic Polenta image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps:

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

Polenta Cookies image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield 2 1/2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 cups polenta, stone-ground grits or coarse cornmeal, plus additional as needed
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

In a bowl, mix together the polenta, flour, baking powder and salt.
In a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and yolk one by one, then add the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix until a firm dough forms.
Divide the dough in half, place each piece onto a piece of parchment or wax paper, and shape the dough into a rough log about 2 inches in diameter, dusting with cornmeal as needed to prevent sticking. Roll up in the paper, twisting the ends to seal, and roll back and forth a few times to smooth out the shape. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. (At this point, the dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. With a sharp knife, cut the cookies into 1/2-inch slices, and place on the prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating halfway through, until cookies are just golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Polenta cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.