Christmas baking is a time-honored tradition that brings warmth and joy to homes during the holiday season. One delightful Czech Republic Christmas recipe that embodies the spirit of this festive time is Povidlové Srdíčka, also known as Plum Jam Hearts. These charming heart-shaped cookies are a perfect blend of sweet plum filling and tender, buttery pastry, making them a favorite treat for both children and adults alike. Let’s dive into the world of Czech baking with this delicious and heartwarming recipe!
Title: Povidlové Srdíčka Plum Jam Hearts
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar
– 1 egg
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup plum jam
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, you can add a little more flour as needed.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out pairs of cookies.
6. Place half of the heart-shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.
7. Spoon a small amount of plum jam into the center of each cookie on the baking sheet. Be careful not to overfill to avoid leakage during baking.
8. Using a smaller heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut a small heart shape out of the center of the remaining cookies. Place these cookies on top of the plum-filled cookies on the baking sheet, creating a heart-shaped sandwich with jam in the middle.
9. Gently press the edges of the cookies together to seal in the plum jam filling.
10. Bake the Povidlové Srdíčka Plum Jam Hearts in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.
Enjoy these delightful Povidlové Srdíčka Plum Jam Hearts with a cup of hot tea or coffee, and share the love of Czech baking with your friends and family this holiday season. Happy baking!
Note: These Plum Jam Hearts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, but they are best enjoyed fresh.
