Polvorones from Puerto Rico

Shortbread-like polvorone cookies from Puerto Rico are like thumbprint cookies, but they're filled with a thick, sweet guava paste instead of jam.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 114 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed
• 1 (21 ounce) package guava paste, or to taste
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 cup vegetable shortening

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Add flour, 1 cup at a time, until completely mixed; the dough should be stiff and able to hold its shape when formed into a ball. If this consistency is not achieved, add a little more flour.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two cookie sheets.

Step 3

Beat shortening and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract.

Step 4

Make 1-inch balls of dough and place 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Use your finger to make small indentations in the middle of each cookie; fill each with a cube of guava paste.

Step 5

Bake in batches in the preheated oven until light golden on the bottom, about 15 minutes, switching racks halfway through; do not overcook. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.