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Would you agree to try a cookie recipe if it was very easy to make, quick and cheap? Just four ingredients: flour, butter, sugar and eggs. The “navette” is a cylindrical cookie flavored with orange blossom, typical of the French Provence. The term “navette” can be translated as “shuttle” in English, referring to Mary Magdalene’s travel to Marseille. These cookies are traditionally eaten at Candlemas. They will keep for several weeks if you store them in a metal box.
Ingredients list for the navette cookies recipe
About 70 small cookies:
- 1 lb (470g) flour
- 3 ounces (85g) butter
- 7 ounces (200g) sugar
- 2 eggs
Flavoring: aniseed, orange blossom or lemon zest
Baking instructions
1. In a large bowl mix the sugar and softened butter. Stir until you get a homogeneous yellowish sand texture.
2. Add the eggs one at a time then add the chosen flavoring.
3. Work all the ingredients with your fingertips, adding the flour gradually.
4. Divide the dough into several parts and roll each piece on a floured surface.
5. Cut each roll into even slices and shape them by pinching the ends to give them the “Navette” shape which forms a little ship.
6. Set the cookies on a baking sheet or a baking mat (silicone mats work best).
7. With a knife, score each “Navette” in the middle in the longitudinal direction.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 390°F (200°C). Your Navette cookies are ready to go!
