Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones
Traditional Spanish crumbly shortbread cookies flavored with ground almonds and delicate orange blossom water, perfect with tea or coffee. This spanish-inspired desserts ready in about 37 minutes layers all-purpose flour, ground almonds, powdered sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 20, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g ground almonds
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 150 g, softened unsalted butter
- 2 tsp orange blossom water
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 250 g all-purpose flour, 100 g ground almonds, 150 g powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Add 150 g softened unsalted butter and 2 tsp orange blossom water to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to combine until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
- Step 3: Shape the dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove dough from fridge and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Place them spaced apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but centers remain pale.
- Step 6: Let the polvorones cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (15 min prep + 22 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 20 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 20). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Polvorones?
Spanish desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
