Ladies' Wafers

By norsegal8

Flavored with cognac and tiny currants, these classic, coin-sized French cookies, known as 'Palets de Dames, sparkle after a light brushing with a sugar glaze.

Ingredients

• COGNAC SUGAR GLAZE:
• 1 3/4 ounces dried currants
• 1 tablespoon cognac
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup unsifted powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons cognac

Details

Servings 7

Preparation

Step 1

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F. Unwrap an end of s chilled stick of unsalted butter and rub it over three large baking sheets, preferably Teflon-coated, to apply a very thin layer of fat.

2. Toss the currants with the cognac in a small bowl; set aside. Briefly blend the flour and salt in another bowl; set aside.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter at medium-low speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and beat in the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and continue mixing until the batter is smooth. Reduce to low speed, and add all of the flour mixture at once, blending just until smooth. With a rubber spatula, stir in the macerated currants.

4. Using a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain decorating tip, pipe small mounds about 1-inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets.

5. Bake one sheet at a time, just until the edges are golden brown with ivory-colored centers, about 10 minutes. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and decorate while warm. Reduce the oven temperature to 200°F.

6. Cognac sugar glaze: Mix the sugar and cognac together until smooth. With a pastry brush, apply a thin coating of glaze to each cookie. Return the cookies, one baking sheet at a time, to the oven for about 3 or 4 minutes, or until the glaze is set. Use a metal spatula to remove the cookies to a rack to cool.

7. Stack in an airtight container and store at room temperature.