There’s something truly special about the holiday season in Austria. The streets come alive with festive decorations, cozy fires crackle in the hearths, and the air is filled with the sweet scents of Christmas baking. One traditional treat that captures the essence of Austrian Christmas is the Schwarzbrot Black Bread Cookies. These delightful cookies are a unique twist on a classic favorite, perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire or gifting to friends and family.
**Schwarzbrot Black Bread Cookies**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup rye flour
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cocoa powder
– 1/2 tsp baking soda
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp ground cloves
– 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dough:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the rye flour, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
– In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add the honey and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until smooth.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
– Fold in the chopped hazelnuts until evenly distributed.
2. **Chill the Dough:**
– Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
3. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. **Shape the Cookies:**
– On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
– Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes – stars, Christmas trees, or circles work well for the holiday season.
– Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie for spreading.
5. **Bake the Cookies:**
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until set.
– Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. **Finish the Cookies:**
– Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust them with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
– Store the Schwarzbrot Black Bread Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
These Schwarzbrot Black Bread Cookies are a delightful treat that will transport you to the heart of an Austrian Christmas celebration. Whether you enjoy them with a warm drink on a cozy evening or share them with loved ones, these cookies are sure to become a festive favorite in your holiday baking repertoire. Enjoy the magic of the season with every delicious bite!
