Friday, December 24, 2010

The Best Cookies

Daniel found the recipe for these cookies a few years ago and they have quickly become one of our favorite cookies to make and, of course, to eat!

You can find the basic recipe (and the story behind them) by clicking here. But then come back here so I can tell you about the changes we made to the recipe.

  • Instead of walnuts, we use hazelnuts (filberts) and roast them for 10 minutes at 350 F before grinding them;
  • we don't grind chocolate or hazelnuts to a super fine powder, but grind them fairly fine - gives it a little more texture that way;
  • we mix the whole thing in our kitchen stand mixer and the cookies are wonderful even though we don't "carefully fold under" the stiff egg whites or the flour;
  • I've used that amount of icing for two batches of cookies and they were plenty sweet, so feel free to cut down on the icing;
  • also, with regard to the icing, we use Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur) as the liquid and it adds a little extra hazelnut flavor;
  • and last but not least, we simply cut the cookies in diamond shapes and don't cut them out in half moon shapes - it's less labor intensive.
We made them once with walnuts, but like them much better with hazelnuts. My dad liked them so much, he and Ingrid already made one batch were thinking of making some more. He also gave us the idea of trying them once with almonds as the nuts and Amaretto in the icing. Sounds good, don't you think? I hope you'll try them as well - they are delicious!! 

To all who celebrate Christmas Eve (Daniel and me included), I wish you a magical, festive and cozy evening! We are planning a delicious meal and are looking forward to a beautiful day and evening! May your day be wonderful! 

13 comments:

  1. OK, I'm sold. I think I can whip these babies up for Saturday !! Thanks for the gift ! Sending you good luck honks in exchange from my taxi !! ;)

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  2. Liebe Silke
    Danke für die Weihnachtswünsche. Ich wünsche Dir auch ein fröhliches Fest. Mit Lachen, Besinnung, Zeit für Euch, gutem Essen. Ach, mögen sich Eure Wünsche erfüllen.
    Herzliche Grüsse
    Elisabeth

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  3. Have a lovely & magical Christmas Eve, Silke & Daniel! xxoo Beth

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  4. Euch ein schönes Weihnachtsfest. Liebe Grüße aus dem winterlichen Schwetzingen, Inge

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  5. Merry Blessings dear friends! you make my year a bright, lively, kinder, one. I am blessed in you.

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  6. mmmmmmm! Brightest blessings to you and your beloveds Silke!

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  7. ~yummy...i have two batches left to bake off this morning!!! warm christmas wishes and brightest blessings upon you this holiday...may your hearts be filled with only love and happiness~

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  8. Diese Plaetzle hoeren sich gut an ... danke fuer das Rezept.

    Gesegnete Weihnacht, Silke und Merry Christmast to you and yours!

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  9. Cookies sound great Silke. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Daniel and your family pet members. Enjoy.

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  10. They do look VERY delicious, Silke. I wish you and Daniel (and your furry babies) a very Merry Christmas!!! xoxo Theresa

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  11. Wishing you and Daniel a wonderful Christmas, Silke. May your hearts be filled with love, peace and happiness.

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  12. Liebe Silke,

    alles Gute für die Festtage

    Angela und Elisabeth

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  13. Thanks Silke! These sound delicious and I shall save this recipe. The hazel nuts sound good to me, I eat walnuts all the time so the change would be welcome. I hope you and Daniel are having a wonderful day today with your family and furry friends.

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