Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Authentic Shirini Parsi Cookies at Home

Can a humble cookie infuse the warmth of tradition and the happiness of celebration into your home? With Navroz, the Parsi New Year, coming close, homes are aglow with colorful decorations, and kitchens are filled with the scent of traditional treats. Navroz, which falls between March globally and July to August in India, is a time when the Parsi community celebrates new beginnings, the arrival of spring, and the renewal of nature. The festival is steeped in Zoroastrian ideas of truth, justice, and pity, there is a ring of prayers, delicious foods, and cherished time spent with friends and relatives.

While dishes such as "Patra Ni Machi" (banana leaf-wrapped marinated fish), "Sali Boti" (spicy lamb curry topped with crispy potato straws), and "Ravo" (sweet semolina dessert) are the stars of the festive table, there is always space for a sweet indulgence. Try the Shirini Parsi cookies—soft, chewy, and studded with raisins. They are ideal for sharing over a cup of tea and are surprisingly easy to bake. Are you ready to sprinkle a little bit of sweetness to your Navroz celebrations? Take a look at how to make Shirini Parsi cookies in your own kitchen step by step.

Recipe for Shirini Parsi Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon rosewater
• 1¾ cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups raisins (preferably small raisins)
• 2⅓ cup all-purpose flour

Method:

1. In a big bowl, mix melted butter, rosewater, vanilla, and sugar together until they are smooth. This process helps the flavors to mix well, creating a rich foundation for your cookies.
2. Now, add eggs one by one, beating well after every addition. This process keeps the dough consistent in texture, keeping it smooth and easy to handle.
3. Fold in the raisins very gently so that they are spread all over the dough. Raisins provide natural sweetness and a chewy texture, which increases the overall attractiveness of the cookies.
4. Slowly incorporate the flour, mixing nicely. The dough should be tender but firm enough to retain shape. Proper mixing will make your cookies light and fluffy to eat at every moment.
5. Refrigerate the dough for at least 15 minutes while preheating your oven to 175°C. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps maintain their fluffy, pillowy shape.
6. Use a spoon to scoop up the dough and roll it into ping-pong ball-sized balls. Leave sufficient space between them on a sheet of wax paper-lined baking sheet. Uniform sizing helps to ensure even baking and an even appearance.
7. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool before serving.

7 Tips to Bake Authentic Shirini Parsi Cookies at Home

Use Quality Butter

Good-quality unsalted butter adds to the richness of the cookies. Margarine is not recommended, as it will change the flavor and texture, resulting in a less flavorful experience.

Balance with Rosewater

Rosewater provides a subtle floral note. Use it sparingly—a half teaspoon is perfect. This traditional Persian addition provides the cookies with their distinctive, aromatic character.

Chilling the Dough is Essential

Cold dough helps retain the shape of cookies during baking and also helps in creating the soft, tender chew of the final cookie. It keeps the cookies from becoming flat as well.

Choose the Correct Raisins

Use small raisins since they integrate perfectly into the dough, providing an evenly distributed burst of sweetness. You can combine black and golden raisins for a little change of pace.

Make Sure They Have Enough Space

These cookies spread during baking, so put them at least two inches apart on the baking sheet. This keeps them from running together into one big cookie and helps them retain their separate round shape.

Baking Without Oven

You can even bake these cookies without an oven. Take a heavy-bottomed pan with a lid and put the cookies on a wire rack in the pan. Cook over low heat until they are golden. Alternatively, you can make a makeshift oven by heating a large pot and baking the cookies in it, making sure the heat is distributed evenly.

Storing the Cookies

Store them fresh in an airtight container. The cookies will keep their soft, chewy texture for a week. You can also freeze the dough in balls by portioning it, so you can bake fresh cookies whenever you want.