Russian Christmas celebrations are steeped in tradition, and one delightful way to embrace the festive season is with the making of Lukomorye Pryaniki, a type of spiced honey cookie that is both beautiful and delicious. These adorable tree-shaped cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire, whether you enjoy making treats for your loved ones or simply love to immerse yourself in the joy of seasonal baking.
**Lukomorye Pryaniki Tree Shaped Cookies**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the honey, sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it’s easier to handle.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Remove one portion of the dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use tree-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as they can quickly over-bake.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining dough portion until all the cookies are baked.
11. Once the cookies have cooled completely, decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or other edible decorations as desired to bring a festive touch to your Lukomorye Pryaniki tree-shaped cookies.
Enjoy these delightful Russian Christmas cookies with a cup of hot tea or share them with loved ones as a thoughtful homemade gift. The warm spices and sweet honey flavor will surely enhance the holiday spirit and leave everyone craving more of these charming treats. Embrace the joy of the season with this delicious and decorative baking project that is sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home.
