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Chilenitos
Chilenitos: crisp biscuits sandwiched with manjar under a meringue cap
ChileanChilenitos are small, fragile sweets from the bakeries and convent traditions of Chile's countryside: two paper-thin, crisp biscuits sandwiched with manjar and coated on top with a glossy white meringue. They are a fixture of once, christenings and the sweets table at weddings. The biscuits must be rolled almost transparent; thick dough gives a hard, dry chilenito. Chef's tip: use an Italian meringue (whites whisked with hot sugar syrup); it sets smooth and shiny and the eggs are cooked by the syrup, so it is safe to serve to everyone.
- Total time
- 100 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 20
Ingredients
For the biscuits
- 7 oz plain flourplus extra for rolling
- 1 oz buttermelted
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 pinch salt
For the filling and meringue
- 10 ½ oz manjar (dulce de leche)thick
- 5 ½ oz sugar
- 3 ½ tbsp water
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Mix 7 oz plain flour, 4 egg yolks, 1 oz butter, 3 tbsp milk and 1 pinch salt into a stiff dough, then knead hard for 5 minutes until smooth. Rest for 15 minutes.
20 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Roll the dough out on a floured surface until you can almost see the worktop through it, about 1 mm. Cut 6 cm circles and prick each with a fork.
15 minStep 3: Bake on lined trays until crisp and just golden at the edges. Cool on a rack.
10 minStep 4: Sandwich pairs of biscuits with a teaspoon of 10 ½ oz manjar (dulce de leche) each.
Step 5: Heat 5 ½ oz sugar and 3 ½ tbsp water in a small pan, without stirring, until the syrup reaches 250°F. Meanwhile, whisk 2 egg whites to soft peaks. Pour the hot syrup in a thin stream into the whites with the mixer running and whisk until thick, glossy and cool.
12 minStep 6: Spread meringue over the top and sides of each chilenito with a small knife. Leave on a rack in a cool, dry place until the meringue is firm to the touch.
60 minStep 7: Keep in a tin for up to 3 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 21 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chilenitos take?
- About 100 minutes in total: 60 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 20 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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