Have you met Dana? Well, allow me to introduce you. She’s the mastermind behind the blog The Kitchen Witch, “an eclectic mix of recipes, food memories, family anecdotes, and a healthy dose of snark. The sarcasm comes free, and consider yourself duly warned. It can get a little spicy in here!” Because she’s awesome, and her recipes are awesome, I invited her to post her favorite Christmas cookie. And it’s a good one.
This is one old recipe; my mother estimates that it’s been in the family at least 100 years. That’s a cookie with staying power, don’t you think?
My grandmother inherited this recipe when she was a young teacher. The principal at the school where she taught was a warm-hearted woman named Mrs. Hagerup, and these are her favorite holiday treats. I rather like that way back when Gramma Rhetta taught, a woman was running the show. Pretty progressive, don’t you think? I’m all for Girl Power.
These cookies have a lot going for them: one, they’re pretty. Two, the dough just hangs out in the refrigerator, so you can pull out a roll and slice up a batch whenever you need it. And three, children love to help with these cookies. I remember many afternoons in the kitchen with Mama, spreading jam between disks and rolling in crackly sugar. So if you have any little elves in your house, I’d encourage them to join you in the kitchen. You’ll be cooking up memories, which is a gift in itself.
Dusseldorf Cookies
Makes a ton
- 2 sticks butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour, sifted
- 3/4 cup ground pecans or walnuts (I spun mine through the food processor)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Jam, any flavor you like
- granulated sugar
Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. If dough seems dry, add a few drops of cold water until dough holds together. Form dough into logs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until very firm.
Preheat oven to 350. Cut logs crosswise into thin slices. Bake until browned around the edges, about 8-12 minutes. Cool.
Spread the underside of one cookie with jam; stick another cookie onto it to make a sandwich. Roll in granulated sugar.
Meal Plan
Dinner
Monday: Homemade Parmesan Turkey Burgers
Tuesday: Chicken BBQ Quesidillas
Wednesday: Chicken sausage with pesto quinoa {AllRecipes.com}
Thursday: Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Friday: Homemade pizza on beer battered crust and homemade sauce. {AllRecipes.com}
Saturday: Early Christmas with my family
Sunday: Leftover pizza
Snacks
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What are your favorite Christmas cookies?
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This post is proudly linked up to Mouthwatering Mondays, Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It’s a Blog Party, My Sweet and Savory, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Foodie Friday, Grocery Cart Challenge, Friday Firsts, Food on Fridays.
Did you know that you can save my recipes in your very own recipe box, courtesy of ZipList? Just click on the link above, under "recipes" to get started. Want to learn more? Hop on over to read about this awesome new feature.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
These look amazing. My girls and I are bringing all kids of cookie dough to my parents’ house for a newly minted Christmas Eve Cookie Fest tradition. We are definitely adding this recipe to the mix!
Making cookies on Christmas Eve is brilliant. No cookies hanging around the house for days, calling out to you at every turn. Have fun!
Yum! I always do as Kitch says in the kitchen, so I’ll try them!
She is brilliant, isn’t she?
What wonderful cookies and special memories. Thank you for sharing and you have a great week!
Hi KitchWitch! Glad to see you over here! You rock. =)
My daughter loves anything with jelly in it. Come to think of it, she’s eaten jelly out of the jar before (shhhhhh!). What a great idea to make them with her!
LOL! What kid hasn’t done that?
When I was young mommy there were no mommy blogs… you gals really have a great network. Good for you!
Valerie
These look delicious. They also look like solid cookies that will stand up to the first bite of yummy goodness. I love filling in cookies. Thanks for linking this to My Meatless Mondays.
I’ve never had these. Sounds yummy!
I’d love for you to stop by my blog on Thursday for my Christmas Recipe Party!
Thanks for letting me know, I’ll stop by and link up.
Yum! These sound delicous. I have saved the recipe and will try them. Thanks. How cool to have a recipe with a history.
Yum! These sound delicous. I have saved the recipe and will try them. Thanks. How cool to have a recipe with a history.
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