Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Peanut Cookie / Kueh Makmur

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, I am sure everyone is looking forward to munching on those yummy New Year goodies. One of my favorite goodies is Kueh Makmur. It's probably not as popular in Singapore as it is in Malaysia. But I love them and would not hesitate to buy a tub if I see anywhere on sale! It's soft, buttery pastry on the outside, simply melts in the mouth! The fragrant ground peanuts on the inside makes it a perfect combination. ;) This year I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to make some for my family and friends....just hope they will like them as much as I do. *fingers crossed*

Since this is my first attempt making Kueh Makmur, I only make small amount that yields around 40 to 45 cookies. Feel free to double the recipe. :) I did a bit of research on the recipe both online and in cookbooks before plunging in making them. Anyway, here is the recipe:

Peanut Filling for Kueh Makmur:
250g of peanuts
100g of confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Method:
  • Stir fry the raw peanuts in the wok for 20 to 30 minutes @ medium low fire until well toasted. Remove from wok and let cook for 20 minutes.
  • Shell the peanuts using paper towels, making sure the skin does not mix in, else will make it bitter.
  • Ground peanuts until fine or to your own preference. Sift confectioner's sugar to ground peanuts and mix well.
  • Add the 1/2 cup of peanut butter to ground peanut and mix well.
Pastry for Kueh Makmur:
350g all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
57g Ghee (clarified butter made from cow's milk)
170g unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
1 large egg white
confectioner's sugar to coat the cookie

Method:
  • Heat up the wok without any oil, add plain flour & salt and stir fry it for 5 to 8minutes. @ medium low heat This steps will make the pastry extra light and melt in the mouth texture.
  • After 5 to 8 minutes, remove from heat and let cook. then add egg white and mix well.
  • Add Ghee and butter to the flour mixture and incorporate well. Knead with your fingertips and press in the butter till it forms a soft dough.
  • Divide the dough into small portions, no bigger then a ping pong ball, as shown in Picture A below.
  • Flatten the dough with the heal of your palm, then press in the middle with your forefinger to make an indentation.Scoop about 1/2 tsp of ground peanut filling into the center of the dough. See picture B below:
  • Cover and seal. The dough is very forgiving, even if it cracks on the side, it's easy to seal by pressing the dough together. Make into a little oval nugget or egg shape. Feel free to make some prints on the cookie.
  • Preheat oven to 180°C. When the oven is ready, bake the cookies for 20 minutes until slight golden brown.
  • Let cool. When cookie is still slight warm, roll them in the confectioner's sugar till well coated.
Let cool completely before storing them in air-tight containers. Be sure not to tell your family you made them yourself first...surprise them in the end. ;)

A snap shot of the inside of the cookie. Can see the pastry is really soft.... filling looks yummy too. Trust me, it's worth every trouble, try making your own Kueh Markmur today! ;)


7 comments:

Angiekyl said...

Your peanut cookie sure looks yummy, I never try kueh makmur before. Can i have a piece?

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Sure Angiekyl, if you come visit me in Malaysia, haha. :)

youfei said...

Hi HBS,

I've never tried kueh makmur before and the FIRST time i see it is on aunty yochana's blog.

chanced upon your blog and really glad to have found the recipe! I think aunty yochana makes it with some red bean paste or something.

hmm..it's funny how i'm singaporean and been celebrating this occasion since young but have never heard of this snack. is it common? Somehow i see it quite common in food blogs this new year, or perhaps because i just joined the food blogging world =X

in any case, thanks! btw, can i link you up at my blog?

regards,
youfei

Honey Bee Sweets said...

hi Youfei,

Actually in my post, I did mention that Kuih Makmur is more popular in Malaysia. But I did buy a tub before in Singapore...probably import from Malaysia, haha.
If you like peanut, do try this recipe, it's really good, my family had even comment that this Kuih Makmur is the best NY cookie I made this year. ;)
Sure Youfei, go ahead & link away.

youfei said...

Hi HBS,

looks like someone caught me not paying attention =p

thanks for the go-ahead! hoping to see more of your bakes =))

Anonymous said...

I luv kuih makmur, and only see it during raya.

I juz came across your blog today, it's awesome, it's gonna be my my favourite.

Anonymous said...

came across ur blog while goggling for kuih makmur today.yours look delish.