BASELER LECKERLI (SWISS SPICE COOKIES)

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Baseler Leckerli (Swiss Spice Cookies) image

This recipe is posted in response to a request. It's adapted from a recipe by Otto Eckstein, executive pastry chef at the Pan Pacific Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

Provided by EdsGirlAngie

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 60-72 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup unblanched slivered almonds
1/2 cup candied orange peel, chopped
1/2 lemon, zest of, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
  • Sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and baking soda.
  • Combine honey, sugar and water in a small saucepan.
  • Place over low heat until the honey just melts- do not let it boil.
  • Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the dough hook.
  • Let cool slightly.
  • Add the sifted flour mixture, the almonds, orange peel and lemon zest.
  • Blend until the mixture comes together in a heavy, sticky dough, adding a spoonful or two of water if needed.
  • (The mixing can be done by hand, but it's labor intensive) Resist the urge to add more water to make the dough easier to handle; it would impair the texture of the finished cookies.
  • Spread the dough about 1/2 to 1 inch thick on the baking sheets, forming 3 rectangles, each about 8 x 9 inches.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, until the tops turn a medium brown.
  • When the dough rectangles have baked, remove pans to a rack and immediately brush the tops with glaze.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Cut into 1 x 3-inch bars or into diamond shapes.
  • Transfer to racks to cool completely.
  • Ice with a simple sugar glaze.
  • Store in airtight containers, placing wax paper between layers.
  • Let rest at least 1 week, preferably longer.

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