Nothing warms the heart and home quite like the joy of Christmas baking. In the Czech Republic, the holiday season is a time for creating delicious treats that spread cheer and sweetness. One popular recipe that captures the essence of Czech Christmas traditions is Kokosové Srdíčka, which translates to Coconut Hearts. These delightful coconut cookies are not only festive but also incredibly delicious, making them the perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
**Kokosové Srdíčka Coconut Hearts**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
– 1 cup butter, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Pinch of salt
– Red currant jam or jelly for filling
– Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix well to combine.
4. Gradually incorporate the flour, desiccated coconut, and salt into the mixture until a smooth cookie dough forms.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
6. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookie shapes. For each pair of heart-shaped cookies, remember to cut a small heart-shaped window in the center of half the cookies to allow the filling to peek through.
7. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once the cookies have cooled, spread a thin layer of red currant jam or jelly on the solid heart-shaped cookies, leaving the window cookies without jam.
11. Assemble the cookies by placing a window cookie on top of a jam-covered cookie to create coconut heart sandwich cookies.
12. Optional: Dust the assembled cookies with powdered sugar for an extra touch before serving.
These Kokosové Srdíčka Coconut Hearts are not only a delightful addition to your Christmas cookie platter but also a perfect treat to share with family and friends during the holiday season. The combination of buttery cookie base, sweet jam filling, and tropical coconut flavor creates a symphony of flavors in each bite. Make a batch of these charming cookies, and watch them disappear as everyone indulges in the festive spirit they evoke. Enjoy the process of baking these Coconut Hearts, and relish in the joy of spreading holiday cheer through homemade treats. Happy baking!
