Makes 40 cookies.
- Prep time: 1h 50min
- Cook time: 10min
- Total time: 2h
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Traditional Paprenjak requires the use of special wooden moulds to imprint various patterns in the dough. If you don’t have any, any cookie cutter will suffice. These cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.
Ingredients:
- 450g flour
- 180g butter
- 150g ground walnuts
- 150g sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Directions:
Combine the flour and butter in a large mixing bowl. Rub butter into flour with the tips of your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the walnuts and sugar to combine.
Mix in the egg yolks, one egg, honey, and spices. Gather the ingredients into a ball with your hands. Knead the dough for 10 minutes, or until it is firm. The dough will still be sticky, but no more flour should be added. Divide into halves, flatten into discs, and wrap each disc individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the mixture is firm. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Two baking sheets should be lined with parchment paper.
Roll the dough out on a well-floured surface until it is 5-7 mm thick. Make imprints on the dough with a special wooden mould and cut them out with a sharp knife. Transfer to prepared baking sheets with care. Use cookie cutters of the desired shape and size if you don’t have any special moulds.
Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven as soon as the edges begin to brown. The baking time will vary depending on the size of the cookies. Cool completely on a wire rack before transferring to an airtight container. Allow them to sit for two days to soften before serving. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.
Commentary.
Also known as Paprenjaci
Paprenjak is a traditional Croatian cookie with a unique combination of honey, ground nuts, pepper, and spices. Its exact origin is unknown, but it was known to exist in the 16th century and was traditionally made for Christmas in many Croatian homes. Today, Paprenjak can be found in a variety of shapes, including gingerbread men, stars, and trees. Traditional Paprenjak, on the other hand, requires the use of special wooden moulds to imprint various patterns in the dough.