Christmas is a time for sharing love and joy, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than with homemade treats straight from the heart? One traditional Austrian Christmas baking recipe that captures the essence of the season is the delightful Kastanienherzen, or Chestnut Hearts. These charming, nutty cookies are not only a delight to bake but also make for a wonderful edible gift to warm the hearts of your loved ones. Let’s dive into the recipe and create some magic in the kitchen with these sweet and festive treats!
**Kastanienherzen Chestnut Hearts**
*Ingredients:*
– 200g cooked chestnuts
– 100g ground almonds
– 100g powdered sugar
– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
– Zest of one orange
– 100g dark chocolate, chopped
– 50g unsalted butter
*Instructions:*
1. Begin by preparing the cooked chestnuts. If using fresh chestnuts, make a small incision on the skin and roast in the oven at 200°C for about 15-20 minutes until the skins begin to peel back. Once cool, remove the skins and chop the chestnuts finely.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chestnuts, ground almonds, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and orange zest. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Using your hands, knead the mixture into a smooth dough. If the dough is too dry, add a little water, a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut out heart shapes from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the chestnut hearts for 12-15 minutes, or until they are light golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the dark chocolate and unsalted butter together, stirring until smooth and glossy.
7. Dip each chestnut heart halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the chocolate-dipped hearts back on the parchment paper to set.
8. Once the chocolate has set, your Kastanienherzen Chestnut Hearts are ready to be enjoyed or gifted to your friends and family. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
These Chestnut Hearts are not only a delightful addition to your Christmas cookie platter but also a heartfelt gesture that will warm the souls of those who receive them. With their rich, nutty flavor and decadent chocolate coating, they are sure to become a festive favorite for years to come. So, gather your ingredients, spread some holiday magic in your kitchen, and share the love this Christmas season with these delicious treats!
