Persian Rice Cookies (Naan Berenji)

May 21, 2023May 21, 20230 14

Persian Rice Cookies (Naan Berenji) for a tasty and unique treat

by The Chefin Dessert

Prep

15 min

Cook

20 min

Ready In

35 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1/3 cup canola oil
	2/3 cup confectioners ' sugar ( regular white sugar works too ! )
	2 eggs ( May use egg replacer )
	2 tablespoons iranian rose water
	2 1/4 cups rice flour
	1/4 teaspoon baking powder ( make sure gluten-free if on GF diet )
	3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
	ground roasted pistachio nuts ( to garnish ) or poppy seed ( to garnish )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

Sugar

Fat

Naan Berenji (Persian Rice Cookies) are a traditional Iranian cookie that are commonly served with tea or coffee. They are made with rice flour and flavored with cardamom and rose water, giving them a unique and delicious taste. These cookies are great for those with dietary restrictions, as they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free if using an egg replacer. They are also relatively healthy compared to other sweets, making them a guilt-free option for a tasty treat.

Instructions

1.	Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2.	In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the canola oil, sugar, eggs, and rose water until smooth.
3.	In a separate bowl, whisk together the rice flour, baking powder, and cardamom.
4.	Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5.	Using your hands, form small balls of dough and place them on the baking sheets.
6.	Press down gently on each ball with a fork to flatten them slightly.
7.	Sprinkle the top of each cookie with ground pistachios or poppy seeds, pressing them gently to stick to the dough.
8.	Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden brown.
9.	Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

PROS

These cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free (if using egg replacer), making them a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

They are also lightly sweetened and flavored with cardamom and rose water, giving them a unique and delicious taste.

CONS

Rice flour can be a bit gritty, so these cookies might not be as smooth and soft as traditional wheat flour cookies.

Also, the ingredients can be a bit difficult to find if you don’t have a well-stocked international food store nearby.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

These cookies are a healthier dessert option compared to many other sweets.
They are lower in calories and fat, and the use of rice flour makes them a good source of complex carbohydrates.
The cardamom in the recipe has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and digestive health benefits.