Best Finnish Christmas Cookies With Almonds Recipes

JOULUTORTTU (FINNISH CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl beat together butter and ricotta cheese with an electric hand mixer. Add the flour, and mix until a soft dough comes together.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours (up to overnight), until firm.
• Preheat your oven to 425F.
• Lightly flour your countertop and roll out one section of dough to a rectangle (roughly 12 x 9 inches) that is about an 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
• In each square, make four cuts, one from each corner, each going 1/2 - 2/3 of the way to the center of the square.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of each square.
• Fold every other corner of each square over the jam. Use the beaten egg wash to moisten the corners slightly and lightly press to seal the corners together over top of the jam.
• Transfer your pinwheel cookie to a parchment lined baking sheet, placing the cookies 1 inch apart.
• Repeat with the second half of the dough.
• Lightly brush the tops of the cookies with the beaten egg.
• Bake the cookies 10-12 minutes, until golden.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once the cookies are cool, dust them lightly with powdered sugar.
• Store the cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for 3-4 days.

FINNISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in flour.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Roll out onto a well-floured surface to 1/4-in. thickness.
• Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with almonds and sugar if desired.
• Using a fluted pastry cutter or knife, cut into 2-in. x 1-in. strips.
• Place 1 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minute or until lightly browned.
• Cool on wire racks.

JEN'S ALMOND CARDAMOM COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cardamom. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cream cheese and almond paste until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla and lemon zest. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until well mixed. Drop by spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper; spray with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix cookie mix, softened butter, egg, flour and 1 teaspoon almond extract until dough forms.
• Divide dough into 3 pieces. Place 2 dough pieces on first cookie sheet. Press each piece into 12x2 1/2-inch rectangle, leaving 4 inches between rectangles. Place remaining piece of dough on second cookie sheet, and repeat shaping.
• Brush each rectangle with 1/2 teaspoon milk; sprinkle with 1/4 cup almonds. Press almonds lightly into tops of dough.
• Bake one cookie sheet at a time 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown (center will look soft). Cool 1 minute. Using sharp knife, cut each log into 1-inch diagonal slices, making sure to cut completely through almond slices while cutting. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack, leaving slices on parchment paper. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, stir powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and 5 to 6 teaspoons milk until desired consistency. Drizzle over cookies; sprinkle 3 tablespoons almonds over tops. Let stand about 1 hour or until glaze is set. Store loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

FINNISH ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well.
• Add almonds or extract and beat until light. Stir in pineapple and gradually add flour and salt. Drop by teaspoons on greased baking sheet and garnish with cherries.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.