Tender cookies – Childhood memories in every bite
Do you remember those tender cookies that mom made with so much love, squeezing them onto the Christmas table alongside other treats? These simple yet nostalgic delights remind us of sunny childhood days when every bite was a little celebration. Tender cookies are a classic recipe, a symbol of maternal love and the traditional festive meal.
Total time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-30 minutes
Number of servings: 30-40 cookies
Ingredients:
- 250 g lard (or 150 g lard and 100 g butter)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 pinch of baking powder
- 500 g white flour
- 150 g powdered sugar
- a pinch of salt
- a packet of vanilla sugar
- half a teaspoon of vanilla essence
- (optional) 50-100 ml milk or a few tablespoons of sour cream
Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients at hand. It is important that the lard is at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dough. If you choose to use butter along with lard, it will add a rich flavor and a creamy texture to the cookies. The powdered sugar is essential for achieving a fine and even sweetness, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Mixing the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the lard (or the mixture of lard and butter) with powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, vanilla essence, and a pinch of salt. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix well until you achieve a homogeneous and fluffy mixture. Add the egg yolks, mixing again to fully incorporate them.
Step 3: Adding the dry ingredients
In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder. This will help the cookies rise evenly and become fluffy. Start adding the flour gradually to the wet mixture, mixing with a spatula or your hands. If the dough becomes too dry, you can add a little milk or sour cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve a soft but moldable consistency.
Step 4: Shaping the cookies
If you have a special cookie cutter, now is the time to use it! If not, don’t worry. You can shape the cookies by hand into sticks or circles. Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them to allow for expansion during baking.
Step 5: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the cookies for 20-30 minutes or until they are lightly golden on the bottom. It is important to keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning. Once they are done, let them cool on a rack.
Step 6: Finishing
While the cookies are still warm, you can dust them with powdered sugar or choose to coat them in melted chocolate for a touch of refinement. This final addition will turn them into true delicacies!
Serving suggestion
Tender cookies are perfect to enjoy with a cup of warm milk, tea, or coffee. You can also give them as a sweet gift to friends or family, beautifully wrapped in a decorative box.
Recipe variations
If you want to experiment, you can add some extra ingredients, such as:
- Chopped nuts or ground almonds for added crunch.
- Dried fruits or raisins for a hint of natural sweetness.
- Grated lemon or orange zest for a refreshing citrus aroma.
Nutritional benefits
These cookies are a good source of carbohydrates, and the lard adds healthy fats. However, being a sweet recipe, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation! A serving of about 2 cookies has around 150-200 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I replace lard with another ingredient?
Yes, you can use only butter, but the final texture will be different. Lard gives the cookies a special fragility.
2. How can I keep the cookies fresh?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain fresh for a few days.
3. Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, the cookies freeze very well. Make sure they are completely cool, then wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. They will remain delicious even after thawing.
I hope this tender cookie recipe brings back fond memories of childhood and fills your home with delightful aromas. Cook with love and joy!
Do you remember those tender cookies that mom made with so much love, squeezing them onto the Christmas table alongside other treats? These simple yet nostalgic delights remind us of sunny childhood days when every bite was a little celebration. Tender cookies are a classic recipe, a symbol of maternal love and the traditional festive meal.
Total time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-30 minutes
Number of servings: 30-40 cookies
Ingredients:
- 250 g lard (or 150 g lard and 100 g butter)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 pinch of baking powder
- 500 g white flour
- 150 g powdered sugar
- a pinch of salt
- a packet of vanilla sugar
- half a teaspoon of vanilla essence
- (optional) 50-100 ml milk or a few tablespoons of sour cream
Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients at hand. It is important that the lard is at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dough. If you choose to use butter along with lard, it will add a rich flavor and a creamy texture to the cookies. The powdered sugar is essential for achieving a fine and even sweetness, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Mixing the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the lard (or the mixture of lard and butter) with powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, vanilla essence, and a pinch of salt. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to mix well until you achieve a homogeneous and fluffy mixture. Add the egg yolks, mixing again to fully incorporate them.
Step 3: Adding the dry ingredients
In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder. This will help the cookies rise evenly and become fluffy. Start adding the flour gradually to the wet mixture, mixing with a spatula or your hands. If the dough becomes too dry, you can add a little milk or sour cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve a soft but moldable consistency.
Step 4: Shaping the cookies
If you have a special cookie cutter, now is the time to use it! If not, don’t worry. You can shape the cookies by hand into sticks or circles. Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them to allow for expansion during baking.
Step 5: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the cookies for 20-30 minutes or until they are lightly golden on the bottom. It is important to keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning. Once they are done, let them cool on a rack.
Step 6: Finishing
While the cookies are still warm, you can dust them with powdered sugar or choose to coat them in melted chocolate for a touch of refinement. This final addition will turn them into true delicacies!
Serving suggestion
Tender cookies are perfect to enjoy with a cup of warm milk, tea, or coffee. You can also give them as a sweet gift to friends or family, beautifully wrapped in a decorative box.
Recipe variations
If you want to experiment, you can add some extra ingredients, such as:
- Chopped nuts or ground almonds for added crunch.
- Dried fruits or raisins for a hint of natural sweetness.
- Grated lemon or orange zest for a refreshing citrus aroma.
Nutritional benefits
These cookies are a good source of carbohydrates, and the lard adds healthy fats. However, being a sweet recipe, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation! A serving of about 2 cookies has around 150-200 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I replace lard with another ingredient?
Yes, you can use only butter, but the final texture will be different. Lard gives the cookies a special fragility.
2. How can I keep the cookies fresh?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should remain fresh for a few days.
3. Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, the cookies freeze very well. Make sure they are completely cool, then wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. They will remain delicious even after thawing.
I hope this tender cookie recipe brings back fond memories of childhood and fills your home with delightful aromas. Cook with love and joy!