"A combination of rice flour, cornstarch, confectioners’ sugar and clarified butter makes these cookies called nan-e berenji perfectly crisp and light, but the lovely, delicate flavor comes from high-quality rosewater."
This recipe was contributed by Nilou Motamed and belongs to her mother, Mahin Gilanpour Motamed. Nilou is a food expert, television personality, and long time friend of La Boite!
Originally published on Food & Wine.
Persian Rice Cookies (Nan-e Berenji)
Rated 3.6 stars by 17 readers
Category
Dessert
Author
Mahin Gilanpour Motamed
Servings/Yield
40 cookies

Ingredients
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2 1/4 cups rice flour
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1 cup clarified butter
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1 cup confectioners’ sugar
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3 large egg yolks
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1/4 cup pure rosewater
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Poppy seeds, for sprinkling
Directions
Sift the rice flour with the cornstarch into a medium bowl. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the clarified butter with the confectioners’ sugar at medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. At low speed, beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then gradually add the rosewater until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until smooth. Scrape the dough into a medium bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until just firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-size mounds of the cookie dough onto the baking sheets. Roll the mounds into balls, then gently press them 1/2 inch thick. Using the wide end of a thimble, gently press 3 slightly overlapping rings onto each round. Sprinkle the center of each cookie with poppy seeds.
Bake the cookies for about 18 minutes, until they are firm and just starting to color on the bottom. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. Using a thin metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a platter and serve.
Recipe Note
Recipe Notes
Check out our other Nowruz menu items to plan for:
Crispy Persian Vegetable Rice
Sumac Roasted Fish (Mahi ba Somagh)
Khoresh-e Ghormeh Sabzi
Bean, Herb, & Noodle Soup (Ash-e Reshteh)
Persian Vegetable Frittata (Kuku Sibzamini)
Tahdig