An Old World Tradition
Holidays are about traditions. Like most families my holidays were filled with baking. My grandmother, a German immigrant, used to bake these cookies with us every year. A simple recipe of eggs, butter and flour would fill the house with the sweet smells of Europe. When rolled out we would use cookie cutters and sprinkles to decorate. Of course now you can use any cookie cut out imaginable as well as creative sprinkles to decorate your baked goodies. I am happy that I am able to pass this tradition on to my kids. My grandmother will always hold a special place in my heart. And it brings me great joy to be able to share that with you.
For a printable recipe click here to download.
Also, some of the products I use are available through clicking the links below.
Ingredients:
12 large egg yolks
1lb sugar
2lbs all purpose flour (8 cups)
1lb butter (softened)
1 tsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Supplies:
2 mixing bowls & cookie cutters
cookie pan (2 are ideal)
1 coffee cup (for brushed egg yolk mixture)
rolling pin
basting brush
wire racks
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl beat 10 egg yolks until light in color. You can throw away the whites. Then stir in the sugar until the mixture is creamy.
In a different large bowl add the flour. Work the butter into it with your hands. Then add the sugar mixture. Need the mixture well with your hands. Alternatively, You can use a mixer with a dough attachment and slowing add the flour on a low speed. It will become to thick for the machine at some point so you will need to use your hands to finalize the the dough. If the dough seems to dry you may add small amounts of water to the dough as your kneading it. And if the dough seems to wet you can alway add small amounts of flour back in and knead with your hands. (this can happen with different types of flour)
Allow the dough to rest for at least 1 hour in the fridge. When ready, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8” thick. Then use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes. Transfer shapes to a cookie pan. Once in the pan, brush cookies with a mixture of 2 egg yolks and 2 tbsp water. Add your sprinkles before baking.
Bake at 375 degrees till the edges are golden. About 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool on pan for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rake for cooling.
Note: If you are decorating with icing, add the icing after the cookies are done baking.
Again for a printable copy click here.
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