**Springerle: A Delicate German Cookie with a Unique History and Taste**
Springerle are a traditional German cookie that dates back to the 14th century. These anise-flavored cookies are made with a simple dough that is rolled out and then stamped with intricate designs. The cookies are then baked until they are golden brown and crisp. Springerle are often served at Christmas time, but they can be enjoyed all year round.
This article features a collection of five different Springerle recipes, each with its own unique flavor and design. The recipes include:
* **Classic Springerle:** This recipe is a traditional Springerle cookie made with anise seeds, orange zest, and cinnamon.
* **Chocolate Springerle:** This recipe adds chocolate to the classic Springerle dough, creating a rich and decadent cookie.
* **Lemon Springerle:** This recipe uses lemon zest and juice to create a bright and citrusy Springerle cookie.
* **Almond Springerle:** This recipe adds ground almonds to the dough, giving the cookies a nutty flavor and texture.
* **Pistachio Springerle:** This recipe uses ground pistachios to create a green-tinted Springerle cookie with a subtle pistachio flavor.
No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to enjoy these delicious and festive cookies.
SPRINGERLE COOKIES
Use these intricately molded cookies to dramatize the sides of a layer cake; for additional wow factor, apply a tinted glaze.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes 4 to 5 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Dissolve baking powder in milk in a small bowl. Whisk eggs with a mixer on high speed until very thick and pale, about 10 minutes. With machine running, slowly add sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in milk mixture, salt, anise extract, and lemon zest until just combined.
- Reduce speed to medium-low. Add 6 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Remove bowl from mixer, and stir in remaining 3 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, until flour is incorporated and dough is stiff.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface, and knead until dough is smooth and not sticky, adding more flour if necessary. Divide dough into 4 pieces, and wrap in plastic wrap.
- Dust surface and springerle mold with confectioners' sugar. Roll out 1 disk of dough at a time to a 1/4- to 3/8-inch thickness (deeper molds will need thicker dough). Cut a piece of dough about the size of the mold. Press mold firmly into dough, flip over, and gently roll over dough with rolling pin. Flip over, and press onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a knife, trim excess dough from sides of mold. Gently coax dough out of mold with fingertips and onto baking sheet. Repeat, spacing cookies 1 inch apart, and placing same-size cookies on same sheet. Let stand, uncovered, for 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 220 degrees. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until completely dry, about 1 hour. (They should not color; reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees if cookies start to color.) Let cookies cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies will keep, unglazed and covered, for up to 2 to 3 weeks.
- Make the glaze: Mix lemon extract and a pinch of luster or petal dust in a small bowl, adding more dust as needed to get desired color. (You will need only a little dust; the mixture should remain runny). Using a very fine paintbrush, brush the tinted extract onto the flat portion of each cookie around the relief. Using a clean, damp paintbrush, remove smudges. Mix additional extract and luster or petal dust in 1/2 teaspoon increments as needed.
TRADITIONAL SPRINGERLE
We have made these very traditional German cookies every year since I was a child. My mother remembers her grandmother making them with this recipe that has been in our family for generations. The molds can be hard to find, but check specialty cookware stores and antique shops.
Provided by PREGOCOOK
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 8h35m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Lightly grease 4 cookie sheets. Sprinkle with anise seeds. Set aside until needed.
- Mix the flour and baking powder together in a bowl until well blended. Place the eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl; beat until light and frothy, 5 to 8 minutes. Slowly stir in the flour mixture until a thick dough forms.
- Working with handfuls of dough, roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick. Lightly sift confectioners' sugar over the dough. Place springerle molds onto the dough; press down hard and evenly until the mold's design registers in the dough. Remove the mold. Use a small knife to cut around each cookie, and place on prepared cookie sheets. Repeat, until all dough has been used. Cover the cookies with a lightweight cotton cloth, and allow to dry 8 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- Bake cookies in preheated oven until tops are pale brown and set, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 74.8 calories, Carbohydrate 16.1 g, Cholesterol 15.5 mg, Fat 0.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 16.2 mg, Sugar 9 g
SPRINGERLE COOKIES
My Grandma would make these every year at Christmas - we called them "pillow cookies" because they puff up when they bake. Now that my Grandma is gone, I use the Springerle rolling pin she always used--what a wonderful way to remember her!
Provided by Mary Scheffert
Categories Dessert
Time P1DT30m
Yield 60 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In large mixer bowl, beat eggs at high speed until thick & lemon colored.
- Continue beating while adding sugar slowly; add flour, baking powder, lemon peel & anise extract- beat together completely.
- On a well-floured board, roll out some of the dough with a plain rolling pin to about 1/2" thickness; lightly flour Springerle rolling pin & roll it firmly across dough to impress patterns (try to keep dough about 1/2" thick).
- Cut cookies apart between patterns.
- Place cookies 1/2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets, and allow them to dry uncovered overnight (12 hours).
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 250-300° & place cookies 1/2" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 25-30 minutes until firm but still white.
- Remove to wire racks to cool.
- Store cookies in a tightly covered container with some anise seeds.
- Flavor develops fully after about 2 weeks.
SPRINGERLE VI
Soft at first, these cookies harden into 'dunkers' after about 3 weeks. (Yes, they keep a long time!) They need a mold for the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cookie, but I bet that they can be made by simply cutting them out. You can substitute other flavorings for anise - lemon and almond are good.
Provided by Dana Campbell
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 13h
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar until thick and pale, about 10 minutes. Stir in the anise extract. Sift together the flour and baking powder; fold into the egg mixture. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Divide dough into 3 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Flour a springerle mold or rolling pin, and press the design into the dough. Cut apart the cookies and place them 1 inch apart onto a greased cookie sheet. Cover with a towel and let stand overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Dust excess flour from cookies.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 79.8 calories, Carbohydrate 17.3 g, Cholesterol 15.5 mg, Fat 0.5 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 27 mg, Sugar 8.4 g
Tips for Making Springerle:
- Use a sturdy dough. Springerle dough should be firm enough to hold its shape, but not so stiff that it's difficult to work with.
- Chill the dough thoroughly. This will help the dough to hold its shape and prevent it from spreading too much in the oven.
- Roll out the dough evenly. This will help to ensure that the cookies are all the same size and shape.
- Use a sharp cookie cutter. This will help to create clean, crisp edges on the cookies.
- Bake the cookies at a low temperature. This will help to prevent the cookies from browning too much and to keep them soft and chewy.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them. This will help to prevent the decorations from smudging or running.
Conclusion:
Springerle are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for the holiday season. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make these beautiful and delicious cookies at home. So grab your ingredients and get baking!
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