Chilean oil cookies, or galletas de aceite, are simple butter free cookies made with sunflower oil, eggs, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and a little milk or water, flavored with cinnamon, orange zest, and vanilla, and baked until golden at the edges. They take 15 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes in the oven, and serve 12.
They are perfect for anyone who prefers not to use butter but still wants easy, tasty homemade cookies.
How to Make Oil Cookies?
The oil, eggs, and sugar are whisked together and flavored with cinnamon, orange zest, and vanilla. The flour, baking powder, and milk are added and kneaded into a soft dough, which is shaped by hand or rolled and cut, then baked at 180°C (356°F).
Nutritional Information
Each serving of oil cookies contains approximately 333 kcal, 5 g of protein, 10 g of total fat, 23 mg of cholesterol, 57 g of carbohydrates, 30 g of sugars, and 25 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Chilean Oil Cookies Recipe
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 500 g (4 cups) of all purpose flour
- 400 g (2 cups) of brown sugar
- 100 ml of water or milk
- 100 ml of sunflower oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of orange zest
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the oil, eggs, and sugar until combined and the sugar dissolves. If you like, add the cinnamon, orange zest, and vanilla.
- Add the sifted flour little by little while mixing, then the baking powder and the milk, and knead by hand until the dough is soft, smooth, and no longer sticky.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) for at least 10 minutes. Divide the dough into small portions and shape the cookies, or roll it out to about 5 mm thick and cut with a cookie cutter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges. Let cool. Enjoy them fresh with a glass of milk, dusted with ground cinnamon if you like.
Additional Tips
Use a mild oil
Sunflower, corn, or a mild olive oil all work, as long as the flavor is not too strong and does not mask the spices or vanilla.
Roll to 5 mm
A thickness of about 5 mm gives the best balance between crisp edges and a soft center. Take them out when the edges are just golden.
Change the aroma
Swap the orange zest for lemon zest, or add a pinch of ground ginger or anise for a different flavor.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower oil | Mild olive oil | 1:1 | Fruitier |
| Milk | Water | 1:1 | Dairy free |
| Brown sugar | White sugar | 1:1 | Lighter color, crisper |
| Orange zest | Lemon zest | 1:1 | Fresher, tangier |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, 500 g of regular wheat flour, sifted and added gradually to the oil, egg, and sugar mixture, with 1 teaspoon of baking powder to help them rise.
2. Can I use water instead of milk?
Yes, the recipe works with 100 ml of either. With water they are just as easy and suitable for anyone avoiding dairy in the dough.
About 15 minutes at 180°C (356°F) in a preheated oven. They are ready when the edges are just golden. They firm up as they cool.
Divide the dough into small portions and shape them by hand, flattening them slightly on the lined tray. Leave some space between them.
What Are Galletas de Aceite?
Galletas de aceite are homemade Chilean cookies in which vegetable oil replaces butter. They are simple, inexpensive, and dairy free if made with water, and they are a favorite with tea or milk.
Oil Cookies for Teatime
Lightly spiced with cinnamon and orange, these cookies are a classic companion for the Chilean once, the late afternoon tea, and they keep well for several days in an airtight jar.
Did You Know?
Sunflower oil, called aceite de maravilla in Chile, is pressed from the seeds of the sunflower, Helianthus annuus, a plant native to North America.
How to adapt this recipe to a vegan or vegetarian version?
How to adapt this recipe to a gluten-free version?
How to adapt this recipe to a keto (ketogenic) version?
Recommended
- Chilean Wine Cookies Recipe
- Chilean Oatmeal and Coconut Cookies Recipe
- Chilean Wine Cookie Cake Recipe
- Chilean Sangria Recipe
