The pretzel shape has particular significance at Christmas, as it is derived from a pagan calendar symbol marking the winter solstice--a circle representing the sun's course, with a dot in the center representing the earth. When this was made as a cookie, the dot became a cross; and when it was later made of one strip of rolled dough, it assumed the shape of the pretzel as we know it.
Provided by Olha7397
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 45m
Yield 3 doz
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Sift flour with baking powder into a wide bowl.
- form a well in flour.
- To this add butter, cut into small pieces, 1 beaten egg, vanilla, sugar and cream.
- Work ingredients together with your fingertips until you have a smooth dough that sticks together.
- Form a ball, wrap in waxed paper and chill 30 minutes.
- Break dough off in pieces slightly larger than a walnut.
- With floured hands, roll each piece to a thin rope.
- Shape into a pretzel.
- Arrange on buttered baking sheet and chill 20 minutes.
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with chopped almonds, then sugar.
- Bake in preheated 325 F.
- oven for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
- VARIATION: The almond and sugar topping may be omitted and the pretzels baked and cooled, then spread with White Sugar Glaze.
- WHITE SUGAR GLAZE: For cookies and cakes, and especially for Lebkuchen, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract, 1 teaspoon rum or brandy (optional), 1/2 to 1 1/4 Tablespoons hot water, or as needed.
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, flavorings and rum or brandy.
- Gradually stir in hot water, a tablespoonful at a time, until you have a smooth thick paste.
- Spread on warm cookies.
- If mixture cools and thickens as you work, thin with additional hot water.
- Sugar sprinkles can be scattered on the glaze before it hardens.
- Makes 1/4 cup, or enough to ice about fifteen 1 1/2 inch cookies.
- Visions of Sugar Plums.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1691.8, Fat 92.9, SaturatedFat 50.2, Cholesterol 358, Sodium 272.1, Carbohydrate 192.7, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 77, Protein 25.8
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