Traditional Filipino Uraro (Arrowroot) Cookies
Uraro Cookies are traditional Filipino shortbread treats made with 100% arrowroot flour, known for their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and characteristic pressed designs. Distinguished by the use of duck eggs and a precise low-temperature baking process, these gluten-free cookies transform from a soft, mashed potato-like dough into crisp yet dissolving bites that have been a beloved part of Filipino merienda culture for generations.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 45 kcal
Difficulty Intermediate
Cookie Press (para sa magandang hugis ng cookies) For uniform shape and faster production
Large mixing bowl (Malaking mangkok) For combining ingredients
Small mixing bowl For wet ingredients
Measuring cups and spoons (Panukat) For accurate measurements
Baking sheet (cookie sheet) For baking
Wire cooling rack For proper cooling
Refrigerator For chilling the baking sheet
Oven For baking
- 1¼ Cup Arrowroot Flour Uraro na Harina
- ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar or Super Fine Caster Sugar Pulbos na Asukal
- 1 Duck Egg Itlog ng Pato or 1 Regular Egg + 1 Egg Yolk
- ¼ Cup Melted Butter Tinunaw na Mantikilya
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract Vanilla na Pampalasa
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt Asin
- 1 Tablespoon Milk Gatas, as needed
Begin by preheating your oven to 300°F (149°C) and place a clean baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill. While the oven heats, gather a large bowl and combine 1¼ cups arrowroot flour, ¼ cup powdered sugar (or superfine caster sugar), and ¼ teaspoon salt, mixing them well until evenly distributed. In a separate small bowl, mix together ¼ cup cooled melted butter, 1 duck egg (or 1 regular egg plus 1 yolk), and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour your wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The dough should feel like soft mashed potatoes – if it's too stiff, add milk one teaspoon at a time until you reach the right consistency. Take your cookie press and fill it with the dough following the manufacturer's instructions.
Remove the chilled baking sheet from the refrigerator and, leaving it unlined, begin pressing out your cookies directly onto it. The cold surface helps the dough stick better. Leave some space between each cookie, though they won't spread much during baking.
Place the sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should remain pale – if you prefer them slightly golden, add baking time in 2-minute intervals until you reach your desired color. Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes – they'll slide off easily. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store your finished cookies in an airtight container or cookie tin, where they'll stay fresh for up to a week. The recipe yields about 36 delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies perfect for serving with hot tea or coffee.
- Use duck eggs whenever possible for richer flavor and smoother texture
- Chill the baking sheet for better cookie press results
- Don't overwork the dough to maintain tenderness
- Keep oven temperature low to preserve the classic pale color
- Store in airtight container with paper towel to maintain crispness
Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 18mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 0.001mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg