Christmas cookies with jam

Christmas Cookies with Jam

The holidays are approaching, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air with a unique magic. These Christmas cookies with jam are my favorites, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious, perfect for bringing a touch of warmth and joy to the beautiful winter days. Without shiny glazes or colorful candies, these cookies retain their charm through simplicity, but can easily be decorated if you prefer a more festive look. Let’s discover together how to prepare them step by step.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 20 cookies

Ingredients:
- 150 g flour
- 150 g ground nuts
- 75 g sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 150 g butter (at room temperature)
- 1 egg
- Jam for filling (preferably apricot or raspberry)

Recipe History
Christmas cookies have a rich history, being a symbol of winter holidays in many cultures. These sweet treats have often been made in families, bringing people together around the table, either to be enjoyed or given as gifts to loved ones. Today’s recipe combines tradition with a modern taste, based on simple and accessible ingredients.

Step by Step to Perfection

1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure you have all the ingredients at hand. The butter should be at room temperature to incorporate easily into the dough. The nuts should be ground as finely as possible to provide a pleasant texture to the cookies.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the soft butter and sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat at medium speed until the mixture becomes creamy and fluffy. This step is essential for getting airy cookies. Add the egg and vanilla sugar, continuing to mix until well combined.

3. Incorporating flour and nuts: Sift the flour and add it gradually, along with the ground nuts. Mix at low speed until everything is well combined. The dough will have a slightly sticky consistency, but don’t worry, it’s perfect!

4. Chilling the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. This step is important as it helps to firm up the butter and makes shaping the cookies easier.

5. Shaping the cookies: After the dough has chilled, sprinkle a work surface with a bit of flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to about 5 mm thick. With the help of cookie cutters, cut out various shapes – stars, hearts, or any preferred choice. The most important thing is to have pairs of shapes, for example, 20 stars to pair them later.

6. Baking: Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or greased with margarine, leaving space between them to expand. Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the cookies for about 10 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden.

7. Cooling: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack. This step is crucial as the cookies will continue to bake slightly after being taken out of the oven.

8. Filling with jam: Once completely cooled, take two identical cookies and spread jam on one of them, then cover with the other cookie. If desired, you can decorate the cookies with powdered sugar or melted chocolate for a festive look.

Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delicious alongside a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate, offering a perfect combination of flavors. They can also be beautifully packaged and given as Christmas gifts, bringing smiles to the faces of loved ones.

Possible Variations
If you want to experiment, you can replace the nuts with ground walnuts or almonds. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for an even richer flavor.

Nutritional Benefits
These cookies contain nuts, which are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to heart health. Additionally, butter provides vitamins A and D, and sugar, although it should be consumed in moderation, can bring a touch of energy on chilly winter days.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other types of jam?
Absolutely! You can experiment with different flavors, such as blackberries, plums, or even caramel for a unique touch.

2. What can I do if the dough is too sticky?
If you notice that the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour, but avoid overdoing it, as this can affect the texture of the cookies.

3. How can I store the cookies?
The cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them.

These Christmas cookies with jam are definitely a perfect choice to add a touch of joy to your holidays. Invite family and friends to participate in their preparation, creating unforgettable memories around the table. I wish you much success and good appetite!