Jelly Christmas Eyes

Jelly Christmas Eyes Recipe - Festive & Delicious Treats

Preparation time: 45 minutes | Cooking time: 12 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

Introduction

Jelly Christmas Eyes are a delightful and festive holiday treat that are sure to impress your friends and family. These cookies are not only delicious, but they are also fun to make and perfect for holiday gatherings.

History

The origins of Jelly Christmas Eyes are a bit unclear, but they are believed to have originated in Europe and have been a popular Christmas cookie for many years. These cookies are traditionally made during the holiday season and are often enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or tea.

Ingredients

0.5 cup margarine
0.33 cup sugar
1 egg
juice of 1 lemon
0.25 tsp grated lemon rind
1.33 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 cup ground almonds or walnuts
raspberry or strawberry jelly
sugar (Note: confectioner's sugar can be used to coat the cookies in place of granulated)

How to prepare

In a mixing bowl, cream together margarine and sugar.
Add the egg, lemon juice, and lemon rind.
Mix until the mixture is smooth.
Add the flour and nuts.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it.
Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 0.13 inches.
Using a round 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough.
From half of the circles, cut out an inner circle using a smaller round cookie cutter to create a "cookie ring".
Bake the circles and rings until they turn light golden, which usually takes about 10 to 12 minutes.
Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool.
Spread a small amount of jelly on each whole circle.
Press a cookie ring on top of each whole circle.
One at a time, shake the cookies in a bowl of sugar to coat them well.
Store the cookies in a covered dish.

Variations

Try using different flavors of jelly, such as raspberry or apricot, for a fun twist on the classic recipe.
Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top of the cookies for an extra festive touch.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to refrigerate the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.

- Be sure to use a good quality strawberry jelly for the filling to ensure a delicious flavor.

- Don't overbake the cookies, as they can become dry. Keep an eye on them in the oven to ensure they are baked to perfection.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Jelly Christmas Eyes with a cup of hot cocoa or tea for a cozy and festive treat.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.

- Use a round cookie cutter to create the perfect shape for the cookies.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have margarine, you can use butter as a substitute.

- If you don't have ground walnuts, you can use ground almonds or pecans instead.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make the dough for Jelly Christmas Eyes ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake the cookies. This is a great time-saving tip for busy holiday baking.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange Jelly Christmas Eyes on a festive platter and dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Jelly Christmas Eyes with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa for a delicious and comforting treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store Jelly Christmas Eyes in a covered dish at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Jelly Christmas Eyes contains approximately 150 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Jelly Christmas Eyes contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Jelly Christmas Eyes contains approximately 8 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Jelly Christmas Eyes contains approximately 2 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Jelly Christmas Eyes are a good source of vitamin C from the lemon juice and rind used in the recipe.

Alergens

Jelly Christmas Eyes contain nuts and eggs, so they may not be suitable for those with nut or egg allergies.

Summary

Jelly Christmas Eyes are a delicious holiday treat that are relatively low in calories and provide a good source of carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Summary

Jelly Christmas Eyes are a delightful and festive holiday treat that are perfect for sharing with loved ones. These cookies are easy to make and are sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn everything I could about cooking and baking. I had always loved spending time in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother, watching them create delicious meals and treats with such ease and grace.

One day, while rummaging through my grandmother's old recipe box, I stumbled upon a faded and tattered piece of paper. Written in elegant script, the words "Jelly Christmas Eyes" caught my eye. Intrigued, I asked my grandmother about the recipe. With a twinkle in her eye, she began to tell me the story behind it.

She explained that the recipe had been passed down through generations in our family, originating from a dear friend who had shared it with her many years ago. It was a special treat that they would make together every Christmas, filling the house with the sweet aroma of sugar and spices.

Eager to learn more, I begged my grandmother to teach me how to make Jelly Christmas Eyes. With a knowing smile, she agreed, and we spent the afternoon in the kitchen, gathering the ingredients and mixing them together with care and precision.

The recipe was simple, yet the end result was a delightful confection that was both beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. The Jelly Christmas Eyes were small, round cookies made of buttery dough, filled with colorful jelly in the center. They were the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, with a hint of spice that lingered on the palate.

As we baked the cookies in the oven, the kitchen filled with warmth and the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. I watched in awe as the cookies transformed from raw dough into golden delights, their centers bubbling with vibrant jelly.

When the cookies were finally done, we let them cool on a wire rack, the jelly glinting like precious gems in the sunlight. I couldn't wait to taste one, and when I finally did, I was met with a burst of flavor that was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

From that day on, Jelly Christmas Eyes became a beloved tradition in our family. Every Christmas, my grandmother and I would spend hours in the kitchen, rolling out dough, filling it with jelly, and baking batch after batch of these delightful treats. They became a symbol of love and warmth, a reminder of the joy of the holiday season.

As the years passed, I continued to make Jelly Christmas Eyes, sharing the recipe with friends and loved ones who marveled at their beauty and taste. Each time I baked a batch, I felt a connection to my grandmother and the generations of women who had come before me, passing down this precious recipe from one to the next.

Now, as I sit here, with my own grandchildren gathered around me, I can't help but feel grateful for the gift of this recipe. It has brought me so much joy and comfort over the years, a reminder of the love and tradition that binds us together as a family.

And so, as I hand down the recipe for Jelly Christmas Eyes to the next generation, I do so with a heart full of memories and a smile on my face. For this recipe is more than just a treat – it is a symbol of the love and laughter that fills our home, a reminder of the magic of the holiday season, and a connection to the past that will always be cherished.