Napolitaines (Mauritian Jam-Filled Shortbread Cookies)
In short: Two vanilla shortbread rounds sandwiched with raspberry jam and topped with a thin sugar glaze. A Mauritian bakery and tea-time favorite. It takes about 51 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 16 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 51 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 245 kcal
Napolitaines are the jam-filled shortbread sandwiches that fill Mauritian bakery windows and birthday tables. Two crisp, buttery vanilla rounds are glued together with a layer of tart jam and finished with a thin, glossy sugar glaze, often tinted pink. They are made in big batches for celebrations and eaten with tea or coffee. The dough is easy to handle once chilled, and the cookies keep well in a tin.
Instructions
- Rub the butter into the flour and salt with your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.
- Beat the egg with the vanilla, add it to the bowl and mix until the dough just comes together. Shape into a disc, wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 170°C (340°F) and line two trays with parchment. Roll the dough on a floured surface to 4 mm (1/6 in) thick.
- Cut out 24 rounds with a 7 cm (2 3/4 in) cutter, re-rolling the scraps. Place them on the trays about 2 cm (3/4 in) apart.
- Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until pale gold at the edges. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move to a rack and cool completely.
- Spread jam on the flat side of 12 rounds and top each with a second round. If the jam is runny, simmer it for 2 minutes first and cool it.
- Whisk the icing sugar with 1 tablespoon of water or lemon juice (and the coloring) until thick but pourable, adding more liquid if needed. Spread a thin layer on top and let it set for 30 minutes.
Tips
- Keep the dough cold. If it softens while you work, return it to the fridge for 10 minutes so the cookies hold their shape.
- For a quicker finish, dust the tops with icing sugar instead of glazing. Assemble no more than a few hours before serving to keep the cookies crisp.
Questions and answers
What is a napolitaine?
A Mauritian sandwich cookie made from two shortbread rounds with jam between them and a sugar glaze on top. It is sold in bakeries and served at tea time and celebrations.
Can I use a different jam?
Yes. Raspberry and strawberry are the usual choices, and apricot or guava also work. Use a thick jam so it stays in place.
How long do napolitaines keep?
In an airtight tin they keep for 4 days. Unfilled shortbread rounds keep for 2 weeks and can be assembled when needed.
How long does it take to make Napolitaines (Mauritian Jam-Filled Shortbread Cookies)?
About 51 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 16 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Napolitaines (Mauritian Jam-Filled Shortbread Cookies)?
About 245 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 35 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
