Cookies

Keksuri Cookies – A Timeless Delight

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1-2 hours
Baking Time: 10-15 minutes
Total Time: 1-2 hours and 45 minutes
Servings: 30-40 cookies

Nothing compares to the aroma and warmth of a freshly baked loaf or a platter full of delicious cookies, so today we will explore a classic cookie recipe called Keksuri. These cookies are perfect for holidays, but not only; they can be made at any time of the year, becoming a perfect accompaniment for a cup of tea or coffee. With a crunchy texture yet slightly soft inside, these cookies are abundant and can be decorated according to individual preferences, making them perfectly adaptable for Christmas or Easter.

The history of these Keksuri cookies is tied to family traditions, and each housewife has her own version, enriched with memories and special moments. If you are looking for a simple yet flavorful recipe, this is the ideal choice!

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 3 whole eggs
- 400-500 g of sugar
- Grated zest of one orange
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 3-4 tablespoons of sour cream
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 250 g of margarine or butter (at room temperature)
- 1 kg of flour
- A pinch of salt

For the royal icing:
- 1 egg white
- 200 g of powdered sugar
- A few drops of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda (optional, for a lighter texture)

Step by Step

1. Preparing the Dough: In a large bowl, add the 3 whole eggs and sugar. Use a mixer or spatula to mix well until the mixture becomes frothy and light in color. This is an essential step, as aerating the eggs will make the cookies fluffier.

2. Adding Flavors: At this point, add the orange zest, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves. These spices will add a deep and warm flavor to your cookies. If you prefer less spiced cookies, you can omit some of these spices, but I recommend trying them!

3. Incorporating the Airy Ingredients: Add the sour cream and soft margarine (or butter) and mix well until everything is homogenized. It is important that the margarine or butter is at room temperature to easily incorporate into the mixture.

4. Flour and Baking Soda: In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking soda and a pinch of salt. This will help avoid clumping. Then, gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Knead the dough lightly, just until it becomes a homogeneous ball. Avoid over-kneading, as the cookies will become harder.

5. Chilling the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. This step is important to make the dough easier to handle and to intensify the flavors.

6. Shaping the Cookies: After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm. Use cookie cutters to create cookies in desired shapes. You can opt for stars, Christmas trees, or anything else that comes to mind!

7. Baking the Cookies: Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper (no greasing is necessary) and bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C (medium heat) for 10-15 minutes or until they become slightly golden around the edges. Be careful with baking, as times may vary depending on the oven.

8. Preparing the Icing: Meanwhile, prepare the royal icing. In a small bowl, beat the egg white with the powdered sugar using a spatula. Add a few drops of lemon juice until you achieve a spreadable consistency, but not too runny. Use the icing immediately, as it does not keep well.

9. Decorating the Cookies: Once the cookies have completely cooled, glaze them and place them side by side on a tray to dry. You can add food coloring to give them a playful touch, especially if they are for a special occasion!

Serving and Variations

For an extra touch, you can glaze the cookies with chocolate icing or add ground nuts to the dough for a crunchy texture. These cookies are perfect to be served alongside a cup of fruit tea or a fragrant coffee, but they can also make a wonderful gift for friends and family.

Practical Tips

- Flour: Make sure to use good quality flour to achieve better cookies.
- Ingredient Temperature: All ingredients should be at room temperature to combine well, avoiding clumps.
- Customization: You can add chocolate or dried fruits to the mix for a personalized version of the cookies.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits

These Keksuri cookies have about 100-120 calories each, depending on their size, and provide a quick source of energy due to their sugar and carbohydrate content. Additionally, the eggs add essential proteins, and spices like cinnamon and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, butter provides a richer taste and better texture to the cookies.

- How can I store Keksuri cookies?
Place the cookies in airtight containers to keep them fresh. They can last up to 2-3 weeks.

- Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, the cookies can be frozen before baking. Make sure to divide them into portions and label them.

In the end, making these Keksuri cookies is more than just a simple recipe - it is an opportunity to create memories and share moments of joy with loved ones. So go ahead and let your imagination soar!

The whole eggs are beaten with sugar and spices. The gingerbread spices are optional; you can add them or not, according to everyone's preference. Sour cream, soft margarine/butter is added and mixed well. Flour is incorporated and kneaded just enough to form a homogeneous dough. It is left to chill for 1-2 hours. Pieces of dough are taken, rolled out, and cut into desired shapes. They are baked on an ungreased tray lined with baking paper. The paper can be used for all trays without changing it. They are baked at medium heat until they are slightly colored. After cooling, they can be glazed. The glaze is prepared as follows: Sugar is placed in a small bowl, and egg white is added. It is mixed slowly with a spatula to avoid incorporating air. Lemon juice is gradually dripped in until the desired consistency is reached. The cookies are glazed and placed next to each other until they dry. They can also be glazed with chocolate glaze. The royal glaze can be colored, and green Christmas trees can be made, etc. The glaze is used immediately and cannot be preserved. There is a mold available in Real, as seen in the photo, which allows you to quickly cut multiple cookies.

 Ingredients: Dough: 3 whole eggs, 400-500 g of sugar, zest of one orange, 2 packets of vanilla sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, 3-4 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 250 g of margarine/butter, 1 kg of flour, a pinch of salt. Royal icing: a few drops of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 egg white, 200 g of powdered sugar.

 Tags:  biscuits