Pierniczki Pachnące, or Spiced Gingerbread in English, is a beloved Polish Christmas baking tradition that fills homes with warmth and festive aroma during the holiday season. These delightful little cookies are full of rich, spicy flavors that are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or as a sweet treat to share with loved ones. In this recipe, we will guide you through creating your own batch of Pierniczki Pachnące to bring a touch of Polish holiday magic to your kitchen.
**Ingredients:**
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1 tablespoon ground ginger
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dough:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
– In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add the honey, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
2. **Chill the Dough:**
– Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This will make the dough easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
3. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. **Roll and Cut the Cookies:**
– On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
– Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Traditional shapes for Pierniczki Pachnące include stars, hearts, and Christmas trees.
– Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
5. **Bake the Cookies:**
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
– Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. **Decorate the Cookies:**
– Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust them with confectioners’ sugar for a snowy finish.
– You can also get creative and decorate the cookies with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for an extra festive touch.
7. **Serve and Enjoy:**
– Your Pierniczki Pachnące Spiced Gingerbread cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a hot cup of tea or pack them up in a festive tin to give as a homemade holiday gift.
8. **Store and Share:**
– Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. These cookies also make wonderful gifts for friends and family, spreading joy and the spirit of Christmas wherever they go.
Capture the essence of a Polish Christmas with these Pierniczki Pachnące Spiced Gingerbread cookies, and let the festive flavors and heartwarming tradition of holiday baking fill your home with joy. Happy baking!
