Cocoa Shortcrust Roses

Name: Cocoa Shortcrust Roses
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 25
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 2 ¼ cups; Potato starch 2 tbsp; Unsweetened cocoa powder 0.4 cup; Butter soft 1.1 cups; Powdered brown sugar ½ cup; Egg whites (at room temperature) ½ cup; Orange peel 1

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147

Calories per serving

Vegetarian

Energy Kcal 147
Carbohydrates g 14.6
of which sugars g 4.5
Protein g 2.3
Fats g 8.8
of which saturated fat g 5.13
Fiber g 0.9
Cholesterol mg 25
Sodium mg 28

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Makes: 25 pieces
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Cocoa shortbread roses—such delightful treats—bring a touch of magic to breakfast or snack time. In many Italian homes, these cookies are a favorite, especially around Mother's Day. I mean, what a heartfelt way to share something homemade, right? Shaping the dough into roses isn’t just about making something pretty. It really really adds a warm touch that resonates with Italian family traditions.

You'd think it takes a lot of ingredients, but nope. Despite a short list, you get these tender, chocolatey petals that melt in your mouth. Seriously, the appearance of these rose-shaped cookies is almost as lovely as their taste. And look, serving them on a nice plate with coffee or tea makes any morning extra sweet and special.

Throughout Italy, people love making chocolate shortbread cookies. They're super tasty, yet feel fancy. Anyone who’s tried a cocoa shortbread recipe knows you don’t need complicated steps to get that rich, slightly crisp texture. You know, it pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee. These cookies often sit alongside other homemade breakfast treats—like brioche or jam-filled pastries—offering a really good variety to start the day. And the sauce? Wait, wrong treat. But you get the idea.

That’s why these floral shortbread cookies are popular for gifting. They look lovely, taste buttery, and evoke memories of family kitchens filled with the aroma of chocolate baking. In Italy, giving something homemade, especially for a holiday or family breakfast, is a meaningful gesture.

Whether you’re making cocoa shortbread roses for someone special or just to enjoy with family, sharing these little homemade flowers is pretty much what makes them special. They transform an ordinary day into something more golden and joyful. These decorative shortbread treats—with their beautiful presentation and meltingly good taste—bring together the heart of Italian home baking, where love and tradition are the main ingredients. So here's the deal: gather your loved ones and enjoy these sweet creations, celebrating the simple joys and warmth of family moments.

How to prepare Cocoa Shortcrust Roses

To prepare the cocoa shortcrust roses, first sift the flour together with the potato starch and cocoa 1 into a bowl, and mix to combine everything. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the softened butter and powdered brown sugar 2, start the mixer, and add the grated orange zest 3.

When the butter and sugar are creamy, pour in the egg whites 4 and continue to work to incorporate them, using a spatula to gather the mixture from the sides of the bowl 5. Finally, add the sifted powders, one tablespoon at a time 6.

Continue working the dough to combine everything 6, then transfer it to a piping bag with a 1/4 inch star tip. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and use the piping bag to form roses with a diameter of 2-2.5 inches 8. Bake in a preheated convection oven at 340°F for about 15 minutes 9.

Once cooked, remove the roses from the oven 10 and transfer them to a wire rack to cool 11. Your cocoa shortcrust roses are ready to be enjoyed or gifted 12!