Vánoční cukroví - Czech Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

• 250g (1 cup + 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 250g (1 cup + 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (1 ½ cups) ground almonds or walnuts 150g (1 ½ cups) ground almonds or walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• Icing, sprinkles, or nuts for decoration Icing, sprinkles, or nuts for decoration

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 kJ
• Fat: 7g (Saturated Fat: 3.5g)
• Carbohydrates: 13g (Sugar: 5g)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. 2.
   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds or walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
8. 8.
   Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
9. 9.
   Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. 10.
    Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before decorating with icing, sprinkles, or nuts.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds or Walnuts — Make sure to use finely ground almonds or walnuts for the best texture in the cookies.
• Ground Spices — For a more intense flavor, consider grinding whole spices at home using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin, lightly dust it with flour before rolling.
• If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
• Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes to add variety to your cookie platter.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container to maintain their crispness.
• These cookies make wonderful edible gifts during the holiday season.

Serving advice

Serve these Czech Christmas Cookies alongside a cup of warm spiced tea or mulled wine for a truly festive experience.

Presentation advice

Arrange the decorated cookies on a festive platter or in decorative tins to showcase their beauty and make them an eye-catching centerpiece.