Albanian Ballokume Recipe
Ballokume is a traditional Albanian cookie snack from Elbasan, typically prepared during the summer festival, Dita e Veres. The dough is traditionally kneaded in a copper bowl to enhance its texture.
Prep Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Snack
Cuisine Albanian
Servings 4
Calories 2134 kcal
- Butter (warm and melted) - 2 cups
- Caster Sugar - 2 ½ cups
- Eggs - 8 pieces
- Water Ashes/Milk - 2 Tbsp
- Cornmeal - 6 cups
In a bowl, pour 1 tablespoon of ashes from a wood fire. Then, add 3 tablespoons of water and stir well. Let it steep for 30 minutes before straining it using a cheesecloth. (Water ashes can be substituted with milk instead.)
In a large container, mix the melted butter and sugar and using a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy.
Add eggs one by one into the mixture and continue beating for 10 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of water ashes or milk and beat again for another 5 minutes.
Gradually add the flour and mix all the ingredients until well combined and the dough is formed.
If the mixture is too wet, just add 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour then mix again.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap or cheese cloth at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 F before putting the pastries.
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper then form 2 oz balls of dough and place it in the baking sheet.
Slightly flatten each ball before shaping the dough.
Bake it for 40 minutes and when out of the oven, let it rest in the tray for about 20 minutes before transferring it on a rack to cool it completely.
It is best to store the baked goodies in an airtight metal box to preserve its freshness.
Calories: 2134kcalCarbohydrates: 270gProtein: 31gFat: 109gSaturated Fat: 63gTrans Fat: 4gCholesterol: 621mgSodium: 971mgFiber: 13gSugar: 126g
Keyword Albanian Ballokume Recipe