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    Home » Blog » Recipes » Filipino Cookie Recipes

    Published: Dec 16, 2019 · Modified: Nov 26, 2023 by Rezel Kealoha · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Christmas Spice Polvoron (The No Bake Filipino Shortbread)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Christmas Spice Polvoron cookies are made with toasted almond flour, powdered milk, coconut sugar and vegan butter.  Even better is that there is no baking involved!  Add it to your festive cookie box.

    Christmas Spice Polvoron

    Historical Path of Polvoron

    This no bake cookie has traveled around the world.  It has been said that earlier versions of Polvoron came to Spain via the Arabs during the Ottoman Empire.  Then through the colonization of the Philippines of Spain came this cookie.

    Traditionally it's made with roasting some flour in a skillet until it is nutty and fragrant.

    My California Christmas Spice Version

    On my last visit to Seafood City (the Filipino-American Supermarket), they had these Polvoron molds in stock from the Philippines.  I don't know why but I bought 5 for some reason.  You actually only need one.

    Polvoron Molds

    These are not easy to come by even on trusty Amazon, but you can also use these mini moon cake molds.  Basically anything where you can compact an ingredient and then press down on it to release the molded cookie.

    Since it's Christmas and all I thought I would add some Christmas spices to give the cookie a bit of warmth.

    Bottles of spices

    Christmas spices that I used were:

    • Cinnamon
    • Ginger
    • Black Pepper
    • Nutmeg
    • Cloves

    I find that just a pinch of each, but with a good helping of cinnamon is the perfect balance of flavor.

    Polvoron Ingredients

    As I mentioned earlier, the traditional Filipino recipe is made by toasting flour.  In my version I toasted some almond flour instead.  I did this over low heat.  There will be a temptation of upping the temperature to make the process faster, but don't.

    In about 5 minutes or so you can start to smell the almonds start getting fragrant.  You just want to do it to the point of releasing the flavor and then stop.

    Toasted Flour in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

    The basis of this recipe is only 4 ingredients.

    1. Toasted Flour
    2. Powdered Milk
    3. Sugar
    4. Melted Butter
    ingredients for Polvoron

    I replaced the flour with almond flour, used coconut sugar in place of regular sugar and used vegan butter instead of regular butter.  The only thing I kept constant is the powdered milk.  It still gives you that taste of familiarity, but then the cookie is made with more nutrient dense ingredients.  Which is what I am all about.

    Polvoron Mixing Steps

    To make the cookie all you need to do is throw all the ingredients in a bowl.  Mix well.  Add in the butter and then mix until you get something that is the texture of wet sand.  Just like building a sand castle on the beach it needs to be wet enough to hold it's shape.  Too dry and it will fall apart.  Too wet and it will just cave into itself.

    The Molding Process

    Leave the ingredients in the bowl and dip the mold into the deepest part of the mixture.  Wiggle it around to make sure it's all packed in.  Over a baking tray unmold the cookie by pressing down on the handle release the cookie.  Repeat.

    Chocolate Dip and Nibs

    To make this cookie even more special and festive I dipped it into some melted chocolate mixed with some coconut oil.  I find that is the trick to get super shinny chocolate without the need to temper.  It also thins it out a little, but still hardens.  To make this step easier on yourself, freeze the cookies for at least 10 minutes.

    As a finishing touch I added some cocoa nibs for some extra crunch.

    All in these took 30 minutes to make.  It will even take less time to make if you wish to skip the chocolate dipped part.  I will leave that up to you.  It's great served up with some fresh ginger tea (hot water and fresh ginger slices).

    Christmas Spice Polvoron

    Christmas Spice Polvoron (The No Bake Filipino Shortbread)

    These Christmas Spice Polvoron cookies are made with toasted almond flour, powdered milk, coconut sugar and vegan butter. Even better is that there is no baking involved!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Servings: 12 Cookies
    Author: Rezel Kealoha

    Ingredients

    Polvoron

    • 1 Cup Almond Flour
    • ½ Cup Coconut Sugar
    • ½ Cup Milk Powder
    • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
    • ¼ Teaspoon Ginger
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Ground Cloves
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Nutmeg
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Black Pepper
    • ½ Cup Melted Vegan Butter

    Chocolate Coating

    • ½ Cup Dark Chocolate
    • 2 Teaspoons Coconut Oil
    • 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Nibs

    Equipment

    • Polvoron or Mini Mooncake Mold

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet toast the almond flour over low heat.  Keep moving around the almond flour with a wooden spoon constantly until it starts to get fragrant and smell toasty.  This will take about 5 minutes.
    • Place the toasted almond flour, coconut sugar, powdered milk, spices in a bowl.  Mix well and add in the melted butter.  Mix until it looks sandy.
    • Leave the ingredients in the bowl and dip the mold into the deepest part of the mixture. Wiggle it around to make sure it’s all packed in. Over a baking tray unmold the cookie by pressing down on the handle release the cookie. Repeat.  Then keep the cookies in the freezer while you make the chocolate dip.

    Chocolate Dip

    • Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl.  In 30 second increments melt the butter checking and mixing in between.
    • Take the cookies out of the freezer and dip half of the cookie in the chocolate.  Leave to harden on a wire rack.
    • If there is any leftover chocolate drizzle that over the chocolate and then sprinkle over cocoa nibs to finish
    Did you enjoy making it? I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @rezelkealoha with the #rezelkealoha!
    For more  Filipino inspired goodness in your life follow along on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.  Or subscribe to get these recipes in your inbox.  And if you make this Christmas Spice Polvoron I would love to see it.  Tag your Instagram snaps with @rezelkealoha and #rezelkealohaeats.

    More Filipino Cookie Recipes

    • Queso de Bolla Lengua de Gato
    • Buko Pandan Cookies
    • Ube Halaya Pie Cookies
    • How to Make Ampaw (The Filipino Rice Krispy Treat)

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    Hi! I'm Rezel and I am here to guide you on how to use those Filipino ingredients you have in a fresh new way. As a fellow home cook, the focus is easy to make recipes with lots of Filipino flavor. You will find a mix of reimagined Filipino Recipes along side traditional recipes on our site.

    More about me →

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    From Bangus to calamansi, wear our merch featuring your favorite Filipino ingredients! Hindi lang pampakain, pamporma rin!

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