December 2023

 

This month, we're getting into the festive spirit with a timeless classic: Cinnamon Cookies. Create unique memories while baking them with your family or surprise your loved ones with a unique gift. Our Executive Pastry Chef, Nicolas Trividic, will be sharing his finest recipe for these mouth-watering cinnamon cookies.

 

 

Could you share some highlights from your culinary career and describe your current role in MSC Cruises?

 

“I began my apprenticeship in France 28 years ago, specialising in pastry at a culinary school, while also working at a local pastry shop. After obtaining my certificate, I moved to the USA and worked at a resort near Atlanta before embarking on a maritime career. After several years at sea I eventually took a break to work at a large hotel in Istanbul. However, my love for the sea and my seafaring friends drew me back, so I returned to a maritime role, and joined MSC Cruises in 2019 as Executive Pastry Chef. Since 2020, I’ve been in charge of overseeing and supervising the pastry chefs on board.”

 

 

This recipe is an all-time classic, that always makes everyone happy! What's the key secret or technique that you believe makes these cinnamon cookies truly exceptional and how can home bakers replicate it?

 

“I’ve chosen to share this recipe as it is very simple and calls for only a few basic tools: all you need is a scale, a bowl, a rolling pin, pastry cutters and a baking tray. However, when it comes to pastry, precision is key: the steps and the quantities must be followed to the letter. Once you create the perfect dough, you can keep it in the fridge for a few days and bake fresh cookies every day.”

 

 

Are there any creative variations or unique serving suggestions that you'd recommend for those who want to add a personal touch to these cinnamon cookies?

“Absolutely! To give a personal twist to these cookies, you can try creative variations using different spices such as ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Choose your favourite mix and fill your house with the festive flavours and scents of Christmas.”

 

 

These delicious cookies are a special treat available only for the festive season on board. Where can we try them on our ships?

“These delightful cookies will be featured fleetwide during the festive period, along with many other cookies and festive treats created by our onboard pastry teams.”

 

 

Ingredients for approx. 40 cookies

 

To make the dough

300 g Flour

200 g Brown Sugar

180 g Butter

1 Egg

2 g Baking powder

2 g Cinnamon

2 g Ginger powder         

 

 

For the royal icing

1 egg white

375 g icing sugar

5 g lemon juice

Food colouring

 

 

Preparation

Take the butter out of the fridge approximately one hour before you begin preparing your cookies, ensuring it reaches room temperature by the time you start. Combine the softened butter and the brown sugar in a small mixer or by hand in a mixing bowl. Gradually add all the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Finally, incorporate the egg and continue mixing until the dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.

 

On a floured work surface, roll out the dough to approximately 0.5mm thickness. Then, use your favourite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for around 10 minutes at 180°C. Once done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool down.

 

Now let’s prepare the royal icing for your decoration. Sift the icing sugar into the egg white, then incorporate the lemon juice, whisking all the ingredients together. Divide the mixture into several small batches and add a few drops of food colouring to each, to create colourful decorations.

 

It's time to unleash your creativity and have fun decorating your cookies! Ensure they dry completely before serving… ideally alongside a nice hot chocolate during your festive holidays.

 

Enjoy!