During the festive season in Germany, one of the most cherished traditions is baking delicious treats to share with loved ones. Today, we’re going to bring a taste of German Christmas magic into your home with a delightful recipe for “Mandelgebäck Mit Puderzucker,” which translates to Almond Pastries With Powdered Sugar. These delicate almond-flavored cookies are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your holiday spread or as a sweet gift for friends and family. Let’s gather our ingredients and bring a bit of German holiday joy to your kitchen.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of ground almonds
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
– 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar. Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
2. Add the almond extract to the dry mixture and stir until incorporated. The almond extract will add a lovely depth of flavor to the cookies.
3. Cut the softened butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until a crumbly dough forms.
4. Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a clean surface and knead it gently until smooth. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as that can result in tough cookies.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart to allow for spreading.
7. Using a fork, gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly and create a crisscross pattern on top. This not only adds a decorative touch but also helps the cookies bake evenly.
8. Bake the almond pastries in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them as they can quickly go from perfectly baked to overdone.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once the almond pastries have cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar for a beautiful snowy finish. The contrast of the white sugar against the golden cookie is both visually appealing and adds a hint of sweetness.
Enjoy these Almond Pastries With Powdered Sugar with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, or package them up in a decorative tin to give as a heartfelt gift. The buttery almond flavor and delicate texture of these cookies are sure to delight your taste buds and bring a touch of German Christmas magic to your holiday season. Happy baking!
