Russian Winter Spice Snowflakes
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Russian Pryaniki cookies reimagined by borrowing a few key ingredients from American gingerbread cookies.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Russian/American
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 Tablespoons molasses (optional)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 # (2 cups) sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • 4-5 cups flour (it depends on how dense your flour is. The dough needs to be quite supple, not tough to the touch)
Instructions
  1. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment combine the brown sugar, honey, molasses, sourcream, and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.
  2. In a small bowl or ramekin mix together baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Add to the mixer bowl.
  3. Combine the flour and all the spices. Change the attachment to a dough hook. Add the flour and spices gradually to the mixer bowl. Mix until the dough is not super sticky but supple.
  4. Transfer the dough to a tray or baking sheet and spread into an even layer. This will make it easier to roll out later. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 1-2 hours.
  5. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to ½" thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to punch out shapes (snowflakes are my favorite) and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 350 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your cookies. They will have puffed up and the edges will just start to get golden.
  7. Our favorite way to decorate these cookies is with a meringue based icing. It not only looks pretty but keeps the cookies from drying out. If you are concerned about using raw egg whites, try meringue powder instead and follow instructions on the packaging.
  8. Meringue Icing: egg white, 1 cup powdered sugar, pinch salt, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  9. Beat egg white on high speed until very stiff. Add powdered sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix on medium speed 1-2 minutes until it comes together into a creamy, sticky icing. Dip the cookies and use your finger or a small spatula to spread all over the top of the cookie, making sure to cover the sides. Let dry out on a cooling rack until the icing is completely dry to the touch. Tip: while the icing is drying on the cookies, cover the remaining icing with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out. Flip the cookies over and cover the bottom with icing and let dry upside down. Let the icing dry out completely before packaging into gift boxes or gift bags.
Notes
For added nutrition to these delicious cookies I replaced up to half of the flour amount with soft white wheat with great results, Attempting to make them 100 percent whole wheat results in a rather "bready" and tough cookie.
For the very best spice flavor, use whole spices and grind them in a spice grinder or a coffee mill.
Recipe by Welcome 2 Our Table at https://www.welcome2ourtable.com/russian-winter-spice-snowflakes/