Polvoron Filipino Shortbread

The shortest cookie ever is probably Polvoron Filipino shortbread. It is a buttery crumbly cookie that turns into powder when it hits your mouth. It is so short, it has to be wrapped in delicate tissue wrapper. Traditionally made for Christmas, it’ s now thankfully available year round, and makes a wonderful present for a foodie anytime of the year or for any occasion. By the way, polvoron is Spanish for powder or dust, hence the name.

And while you’re here, check out my recipe for another Filipino sweet treat, Yema Custard Truffles.

What you need to make Polvoron

• From the Fridge or Pantry – Plain Flour, Caster Sugar,Butter
• Optional Add in’s – Finely crushed biscuits like Oreo or Biscoff. The biscuits have to be finely crushed so it’s less likely to crumble when shaping them. Crushed nuts is also a really good option and so is mini chocolate buttons. If using the buttons, place them on top of the Polvoron, after they are molded. The residual heat will melt the chocolate a little, so it stays in place. For Ube flavoured Polvoron, I added the Ube essence to the melted butter so it is easier to mix in.
  
• You also need a Polvoron stamper, which is available from most Filipino shops. I got mine when I went back to the Philippines. They were so cheap, I got 6 so I have spares for spares. Alternatively you can use a mini silicon muffin pan to mold the Polvoron. Push the mix in with the back of a teaspoon so it’s nicely compressed and won’t break apart.
• The Polvoron is very delicately flavoured and fragile, which is why you need to wrap it in paper tissues. These are available from $2 shops or newsagents. Cut them up into squares approximately 10cmx10cm. If you can’t find wrapping paper, a good substitute is mini muffin paper cases.

Easy does it..

• Toast the flour on medium heat until it is pale golden. You’ll know when it’s done, because it will smell different. Take care not to burn the flour.
• Add the caster sugar and powdered milk to the toasted flour. Make a well in the centre, then add the melted butter. Mix until well combined. Stir in your preferred flavourings.
  
• Mold into shapes using the Polvoron mold or shape in mini silicon muffin molds, then wrap in squares of tissue.

Polvoron

Recipe by acmowlai

4.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: FilipinoDifficulty: Easy

Servings

30

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Buttery crumbly shortbread

Ingredients

• 2 cups Plain Flour

• 1 cup Powdered Milk

• 1 cup Caster Sugar

• 175g Butter Melted

• Tissue wrapper or Mini paper cases

• Optional Add-ins

• Use one of the following add in:

• Crushed Oreo or Biscoff Cookies,approximately 8 cookies

• Mini White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate Buttons

• Finely chopped nuts like Pistachios or Peanuts, about 1/4 cup

• Ube Essence about 1 teaspoon

Directions

• Place the flour in a pan and cook on medium heat until the flour is pale golden while stirring constantly. The idea is to toast the flour without burning it. Take off the heat and set aside.
• Add powdered milk and caster sugar to the toasted flour and mix to combine.
• Make a well in the centre of the flour mix and add melted butter. Mix until butter is fully incorporated into the flour mix. Stir in your preferred add in’s if using. However, if using chocolate buttons, place one on each Polvoron after you have shaped them.
• Use a Polvoron moulder, to shape the cookies into rounds by using a stamping motion into the Polvoron mix, then press the lever to carefully release the cookie into a baking tray . The Polvoron will be very fragile at this stage. If a cookie shatters, during the process, just place it back in the mix and redo it. Repeat for the remaining mix. Then place the baking tray in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
• Place a cookie in the centre of a square wrapping paper, bring two edges together and fold. Twist the other two edges in opposite direction to seal. Store the cookies in a covered container. Maybe stored in the fridge for longer shelf life.

Notes

• Australian Standards used