These little cookies go by many names—Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, walnut snowballs, etc. The Mexican version, also called polvoróns, are made with finely chopped pecans, and the result is a soft, crumbly cookie. My grandmother always made walnut snowballs when I was little, but the girls and I decided to try this version to take as […]
Marzipan snowmen {101 Days of Christmas}
I have a serious obsession love for all things almond flavored, but I’ve never made marzipan at home…until this week! I originally had visions of marzipan fruit for the Christmas season, as my heritage might dictate, but then I decided to be realistic about my art skills. However, while marzipan can be rolled into a log and […]
Fiori di Sicilia star cookies + a King Arthur Flour giveaway {101 Days of Christmas}
These cookies are amazing! Fiori di Sicilia — or “flowers of Sicily” — is an Italian flavoring used in panettone and pandoro. With a dreamy combination of citrus, vanilla and a light floral aroma, this flavoring would make a great addition to any baked good, adding a distinctive taste that’s light and enticing rather than overpowering. For […]
Dutch speculaas {101 Days of Christmas}
Dutch speculaas are thin, crisp cookies flavored much like German pfeffernüsse. They’re typically baked for St. Nicholas’ Day on December 5th or 6th and are, traditionally, stamped with images from the life of St. Nicholas on the front. It turns out that I really like traditional Christmas cookies from this part of Europe, with their strong spices and unique textures! I […]
Austrian kipferl {101 Days of Christmas}
Ancestor to the croissant, kipferl cookies are fragile crescent-shaped cookies that literally melt in your mouth. Made from ground almonds, they have the slightest hint of almond flavor and a sweet vanilla sugar coating. These cookies are so good that my husband fought over the last cookie of both batches I made. Despite their “fancy” shape, they’re […]
German pfeffernüsse {101 Days of Christmas}
Pfeffernüsse, aka pepper nuts, are a traditional German cookie featuring aromatic spices and a sweet icing. Like any good cookie recipe, there are dozens and dozens of variations of the spices and ingredients used, but all bakers agree that the result is a spicy, dry cookie that is small enough to grab by the handful! As […]