During the festive season in the Czech Republic, baking is truly an art form, and no holiday is complete without the delicious scent of freshly baked treats filling the home. One beloved Christmas baking recipe that captures the essence of the season is Mandlové Stromečky, translated to “Almond Trees.” These delightful almond cookies not only look like tiny Christmas trees but also taste like a cozy winter wonderland. With a delicate sweetness and a hint of almond flavor, Mandlové Stromečky will become a favorite addition to your holiday baking traditions.
**Mandlové Stromečky Almond Trees**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup ground almonds
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon almond extract
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat together until creamy and well combined.
2. Add the egg and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing until smooth.
3. Gradually add the ground almonds and all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a touch more flour.
4. Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a small tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out tree shapes from the dough.
7. Place the tree-shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each cookie.
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 them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar to resemble snow on the almond trees.
11. Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining disc of dough until all the cookies are baked and beautifully dusted with powdered sugar.
These Mandlové Stromečky Almond Trees are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Their festive tree shapes make them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie platter or a lovely gift for friends and family. Serve these almond cookies alongside a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for the ultimate cozy Christmas experience. Enjoy the tradition and warmth of Czech holiday baking with these delightful almond treats.
