Description
German Christmas cookies, known as ‘Plätzchen,’ are a cherished part of holiday traditions in Germany, symbolizing love, togetherness, and the joy of the festive season.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (softened)
- Eggs: 2
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp
- Sliced almonds: for decoration
- Powdered sugar: for dusting
Instructions
- Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and press sliced almonds on top for decoration.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar and decorate as desired.
Notes
- Measure ingredients accurately for best results.
- Do not skip the chilling step for easier rolling.
- Store cookies in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
- Consider freezing cookies for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: German Christmas cookies, Plätzchen, holiday baking, festive treats