The batter is a blend of wheat flour, eggs, sugar and whole milk. Rosette cookies are formed with a rosette iron. This specialized tool has a long handle and with a metal shape, commonly stars, flowers, snowflakes or Christmas trees.[1][2] In Kerala, India, Rosette cookies known as Achappam are made using rice flour.
The metal is heated in hot oil before it is dipped in batter. Returning the iron to the oil, the batter is detached from the mold when it is partially cooked and gently flipped to finish cooking. They are usually topped with sugar or honey,[3] or the edges of rosettes are dipped into frosting.[4][5] The process was recorded in the 19th century Ottoman cookbookAşçı başı.
Swedish timbale can be made with rosette batter using a timbale mold instead of an iron. These can be made with savory fillings like creamed chicken and mushrooms.[6]
Rosette recipes are popular in the United States among families with Scandinavian ancestry.[7]
In Alentejo (Portugal), they are known as filhós de forma (lit.'formed donuts') or filhós de floreta (lit.'flower donuts') are popular at Christmas.[8] The batter is flavored with port and orange juice.[9]
In Cantonese they are known as tong wan. It was introduced to Hawaii, where they are known as Chinese pretzels.[15][16][17] In Malaysia, they are known as kuih Loyang.[18]
^Fernandes, Daniel. "Filhós de Forma". Produtos Tradicionais Portugueses (in Portuguese). Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural. Retrieved 6 November 2023.