Plätzchen

Plätzchen
The term Plätzchen generally refers to sweet German cookies that belong to the category of pastries.

Here’s my take on the German Christmas Cardamom Cookies!

Ingredients

¾ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 cups unbleached all-purpose floor
¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
¾ teaspoon double acting baking powder
1 pinch salt
4 ounces chocolate coating

Directions

  1. Beat together the butter, sugars and water.
  2. Sift flour with cardamom, baking powder, and salt and mix it into the creamed butter to make a stiff dough.
  3. Form this dough into two or three rolls that are 1 inch in diameter.
  4. Wrap the rolls in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator overnight (or at least for 2 hours).
  5. Heat oven to 390° F.
  6. Remove roll of dough from the refrigerator and place it on a cutting board. Slice the dough ¼ inch thick and place the cookies on a cookie sheet.
  7. Use a fork to create a crosshatch pattern on the cookies, flattening them somewhat.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
  9. Remove cookies to rack to cool.
  10. Melt chocolate and dip cookies halfway in melted chocolate, place on rack, and allow to harden.