Ingredients
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1½ sticks unsalted, room temperature butter
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½ cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
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1 cup sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 eggs using 1 for egg wash
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⅛ teaspoon baking soda
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½ cup warm milk
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5 cups all purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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¼ cup sesame seeds, optional
Summary
Paximathakia are a twice baked cookie, similar to biscotti, or hard rusk-style savory bread, served as thick slices. Here we make a very simple sweet cookie version perfect with coffee or tea… and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Steps
1
Done
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Preheat oven to 350° degrees. |
2
Done
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In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of flour with baking powder and set aside. |
3
Done
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In a large bowl, beat together butter and oil until light and fluffy. |
4
Done
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Gradually add the sugar and vanilla extract. |
5
Done
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Beat in 1 egg and continue mixing. |
6
Done
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Dissolve baking soda in warm milk and add to butter mixture. Mix until just combined. |
7
Done
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Add flour mixture and mix gently as you continue to add the remaining 4 cups of flour until you have a nice, soft dough. |
8
Done
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Divide the dough into 3 equal parts (we use a scale for precision but you can eyeball it). Shape each dough piece into narrow loaves, about 1 inch high and 12 inches long. |
9
Done
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Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. |
10
Done
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Score the tops of the dough into ½ inch slices. |
11
Done
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Mix 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush the loaves with the egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using. |
12
Done
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Bake until lightly brown, about 20 - 25 minutes. |
13
Done
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Remove from oven and while still hot, carefully slice all the way through the scored dough. |
14
Done
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Lay slices on their side and return to oven. |
15
Done
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Bake for about 7 minutes until the side facing start starts to turn golden brown and then remove from oven and flip paximathakia over. |
16
Done
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Place back in oven and bake another 7 minutes until golden brown. |
17
Done
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Cool slightly before serving. |