Tonight we wrap up our Armenian adventure with an interesting little dessert. I don’t think we’ve ever done a cookie on one of our international and stateside adventures. In fact, I think the only cookies that we have showcased on the blog are my mom’s from the holidays and Miss A’s birthday cookie request.
So when we came across the recipe for Armenian Cookies, we knew we had to give them a shot. Plus they gave me a chance to use my stand mixer and I like excuses to use my stand mixer. We started by creaming the butter and sugar. 
Next we tossed in the eggs, vanilla, milk, salt and baking powder. 
We then added about 1/2 a cup of flour at a time until a smooth and slightly sticky dough was formed. 
Now this is where things got a bit tricky. The original recipe called for 4-1/2 to 5 cups of flour, and maybe more. However, as we added the flour it just seemed to way out balance the amount of liquid in the recipe. So we only used about 3-1/2 cups. And after the dough was formed we rolled it out into little balls. 
Miss A of course was on hand to help and share her thoughts on how things should be done. 
Next we rolled each cookie ball into about a 5-inch log which was still very difficult with only 3-1/2 cups of flour. The dough was pretty dry and challenging to work with. 
That’s why Miss A decided to make regular cookies. She makes me so darned proud. I love her independence, assertiveness and in this case, utter genius. And as a parent I have to admit those wonderful qualities scare me to death at the same time! 😉 
So we then shaped our cookies into rings and “regular cookies.” 
The cookies baked for 20 minutes at 375F and came out risen and golden brown. 
We of course sampled some just out of the oven and they were quite tasty. The flavor was sweet and light and the warm cookies melted in our mouths. 
My cousins were on hand to give them a try too and they even enjoyed them (unless they were just being polite). But, given the amount of flour and how hard they were to work with we were nervous for how they would taste once cooled. Would they lose the melt in your mouthness and just be pure flour-y? 
Well according to my mom who sampled them as well the next day, we were right in our nervousness. She needed a glass of water immediately and said it was like eating flour. Not a good review obviously. So I figured I’d try one again. While it wasn’t a melt in your mouth kind of cookie anymore, it still had good flavor even if it was a bit dry. Mike agreed. They had good flavor, but just weren’t his style of cookie. He thought they tasted too much like scones (I didn’t realize that was a bad thing.). And we both thought they would be the kind of cookie that would go really well with some tea. 
As for the kids, they loved them – warm and cold. They kept asking for another cookie throughout the week. They weren’t as big of a hit as the balsamic or oatmeal cookies, so they only garnered a 3 spoons, but still that’s not bad. My cousins also claimed to still really like them once they cooled, and asked to keep a bunch to take home (Again, they are darn nice high school girls and could really just be being nice to me because they thought it was polite…) As for Mike and I, we ultimately gave them 2 spoons. They had a decent flavor, but were too dry for our liking.
So that wraps up our Armenian adventure which really was kind of all over the map in terms of spoon ratings. That said, we have made this recipe three times already. It’s perfect for lunches. So where will we go next? Oh just you wait and see. Miss A was spinning the globe this time. 😉
P.S. Miss A’s “regular cookie” shaped cookies tasted no different from the traditional ring shaped cookies. So if you plan to make these, go ahead and save yourself the hassle and listen to Miss A.
Print this recipe: Armenian Cookies
Eat, Play, Love 
The cookies look good but too bad they didn’t turn out as you expected. Miss A is adorable and her assertiveness in the kitchen will get her places. Watch out Rachel Ray, here comes Miss A! lol She’s going to be teaching the home-ec teacher a thing or two in school! 🙂
Have a great night and enjoy your beautiful family!
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Sometimes you just ought to listen to that little Miss A! These cookies look like the Arabian ghraybeh, but after they cool, they don’t become very fourly… but the whole melt-in-your mouth biscuit was a good try… I love to explore new things! You never know, maybe your mum slightly went over the top, or your cousins were slightly too nice… maybe they were just okay after they had cooled… I guess everyone’s got their own opinion! 🙂
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Definitely! We all do have our own opinions. That said, I’m going to listen to Miss A’s baking ideas more often. She actually knows a thing or two now. 😉
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YUM! How can you go wrong with any cookies? They look and sound good. The dough looks yummy too, then again I always eat probably half the dough because I am so impatient :). I love how you do these little world adventures with recipes, I really like that idea and might pick up on it to explore more of a certain country’s food. I’m not nearly as adventurous as you, though, so it’d probably a one or two country deal. Sounds fun!
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Thanks Casey! It is fun sampling foods from around the world. The kids have learned so much too. The dough for these cookies was pretty yummy, I will say that. 😉
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how fun! I love this idea of bagel cookies! Does this mean I can eat the “cookies” for breakfast? LOL
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I should think so! 🙂
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Hi Kristy, what an interesting cookie recipe. I wonder if you dipped half in chocolate would it take the floury taste away…but in referencing the original recipe, the guy does say that “Dunking is highly recommended!” which to me implies that they are a little dry. It really irks me when a recipe doesn’t quite pan out, especially when the ingredients are expensive…fortunately this one wasn’t!
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I think dunking these would make them much more palatable for us. The flavor was great, it was just the texture we were unaccustomed to. We’re so used to our moist cookies with a bit of crunch on the outside. Still…the kids all seemed to enjoy them. 🙂
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They look nice though. And thank you so much for showing us that smiling, adorable pic of Miss A. I’m in a bit of a funk today, and perked up with that bright smile of hers.
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So happy she could bring a smile to your face Geni! Hang in there!!! Hugs to you. 🙂
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Love the photo of Miss A and even more her independence and assertiveness great qualities to have.
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They are fabulous qualities to have! 🙂 I hope she keeps up with them.
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You made me smile with the part about loving and fearing Miss A’s independence. My daughter is 7 and I totally understand what you mean. I love how she has her own openion and defends it, yet I worry about what is yet to come!
I am sorry the cookies didn’t turn out well “didn’t know tasting like scones was a bad thing either!” but I love your pictures and the ring cookies look really cute
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Thanks Sawsan! And that’s exactly how I feel – love her independent streak and her assertiveness, but I have no doubts it will make for challenging teenage years. 😉
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I liked the shape of these….they looked cute! Kristy, I have to tell you that I made your Bermuda French Toast this morning. We were staying with friends and it seemed like a good time to try out your recipe. It was a big hit and really, really yummy. It tasted a bit like cinnamon buns with that delicious topping. I liked how easy it was to make — no need to stand there cooking the French Toast in a pan! Thanks for sharing!
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Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Barb! Thanks for letting me know. That’s still one of our favorites. That sauce just kills me. 😉
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It is a shame that they didn’t turn out to be a favorite but tasting like a scone sounds nice. Especially with a cup of tea.
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I think tea or coffee would be perfect with these. 🙂
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This looks like a Philippine cookie called Puto Seko, they are also floury
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And do you eat them with tea or coffee? I imagine that would have helped out with these (for the adults anyway). 🙂
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Hmmm.. they are pretty though!! Perhaps it’s an Armenian version of a biscotti? Dipped in milk or tea or a latte.. they would be yummy!
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My thoughts exactly Smidge! 🙂
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It’s like a donut and cookie all in one. Great photos!
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LOL – still, I’d prefer a doughnut. 😉
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We have a very big Armenian population in our area, and some of the best authentic bakeries! I’ve seen these cookies. What a delight to have the recipe! I wanted to tell you that I love your banner photo! Very much! Debra
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Thank you so much Debra. A good friend/designer friend of mine fixed that up for us. She’s terrific. I should try and find an Armenian bakery around here and see if I can try one of their versions of these cookies. I’d be curious to see how we did. 😉
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I love scones, so I know I would love these…and I have a cup of tea every morning, I think I need to make these, they look wonderful!!
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Thanks Dawn! 🙂
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Oh Miss A reminds me of my daughter!! Always assertive, a leader not a follower, pushing the limit! And you know, that has done her very well thru the years and I’m very proud of her…tho it can be a challenge at times for the parents!! As for the donut cookies here…I wonder would they be like a biscotti and need to be dipped in something? or just flat out too floury tasting??
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I didn’t think they were too floury tasting (my mom did), and I do think they would work well for dunking. 🙂 And as for Miss A – always, always pushing the limit. LOL. 😉 I do love that about her though too. And if she grows up to be anything like your daughter, I’ll be proud as well. You’ve got two keepers that’s for sure! 🙂
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It’s called ghreibi (spelled many different ways) but it is traditional in most middle eastern countries. I grew up on it. Has a texture of mexican wedding cookies. Your look great!! Most middle easterners push a pistachio into the middle instead of the hole 🙂 Good work!
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Thank you so much! This just made my day. We try to keep our recipes as authentic as we can. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
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Meanwhile your mom and the glass of water… had to smile. Miss A is a star – I love her style and ingenuity and yup, I’d be petrified mom ;-). These little donut cookies look really neat to my eye – and I quite like the taste and texture of scones so I bet I would love these with my afternoon matcha or evening ‘movie night’ tea…
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They are cute to look at – very different. And my mom, yes, made me laugh too. And believe me Kelly – definitely petrified (although I think is more so than I am!). 😉
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Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t add all of the flour!!
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I know! I can’t imagine trying to form the rings with more flour. I’m sure it’s doable, but my patience only goes so far. 😉
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Don’t let Miss A’s independence or other wonderful qualities scare you at all. Just remind her of them everyday because she will need it when she becomes a teenager. I know too far ahead lol. That little girl is just as wonderful as her mom :). And these cookies are most certainly wonderful too. Maybe cut down on the flour, and I think they would go great with tea. You know I love tea and cookies over here
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Thank you Kay! She will need these qualities – that’s for sure. They will serve her well (while adding gray hairs to my head no doubt – but hey that’s what color is for!). 🙂
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Hey.. that’s why they invented hair dye LOL.. that’s what my grandmother used to say lol
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Well, you got through another difficult recipe and at least got something somewhat tasty out of it, even if not amazing.
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Very true! And it was a fun afternoon with Miss A. Can’t beat that. 🙂
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Just look at Miss A and her ingenious ideas. Clever little one! Bummer these didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. I’ve had similar experiences with recipes that call for too much flour. Love the idea of these though. Always worth trying something different. 🙂
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Definitely always worth trying something different and your lemon bars are next on my list. I’ve only done the Euro Pane bars to date, but I’m willing to bet yours are going to be outstanding too. 🙂
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Sorry these weren’t exactly what you were hoping for – and at least the kids enjoyed them. As for Miss A – my mom once told me that the personality traits that drive you the most nuts when they’re kids are the ones that will serve them well as adults. So I try to keep that in mind when my five year old argues with me like a lawyer, my two year old tried to do everything by himself, or both of them have more energy than I can keep up with. 🙂
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Huh! Great advice from your mom. I wonder what my mom would say about that. Tee hee. 😉 Mr. N is my “lawyer” that’s for darn sure. And yep – your two year old sounds a lot like Miss A. She’s been doing things herself since she was born! As for the energy….oye. If we could just have a smidge of what they have it would be a world of difference! 🙂
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Miss A’s teenage years are not that far away, you know….
prepare yourself for a wild, wild ride! 😉
Great post!
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LOL! Oh I have no doubt Sally! I have no doubt! 😉
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Good thing you realized there was a problem before you added all of the flour called for in the recipe. At least you got some better-than-just-edible cookies. Still, freshly baked cookies are one of life’s real pleasures and it’s such a disappointment when they don’t turn out so good.
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Definitely…that’s ok though. These were good and we also happened to have a box of girl scout cookies lying around too, so there’s no lack of cookie goodness here. 😉
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Bagel cookies? 😀 They look great – I’m surprised about the quantity of baking powder – it made them really rise instead of staying all flat – the final shape is awesome… were they crispy all the way through, or gooey still in the middle?
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The quantity of baking powder threw me too. I was worried it would impact the taste, but I didn’t really notice it in the flavor and they did rise quite a bit. And yep – crispy all the way through. 🙂
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