New Zealand Holly Cookies

New Zealand Holly Cookies Recipe - Delicious Cookies from New Zealand

Region / culture: New Zealand | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 24 cookies

Introduction

New Zealand Holly Cookies are a festive and delicious treat that are perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are not only visually appealing with their holly berry decorations, but they also have a sweet and tangy raspberry jam filling that adds a burst of flavor.

History

The New Zealand Holly Cookies recipe is a traditional holiday treat that has been passed down through generations in New Zealand. These cookies are often made during the Christmas season and are a popular choice for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

Cookies

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
0.75 tsp baking powder
0.67 cup raspberry jam
0.5 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 cup butter or margarine
0.25 cup milk
1 beaten egg

Decoration

2-3 tsp milk
2 cups powdered sugar
red cinnamon candies
green food coloring

How to prepare

Combine 1 cup flour, 0.25 cup sugar, 0.5 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp baking powder, and 0.25 tsp salt.
Cut in 0.5 cup margarine (similar to pie dough consistency).
Create a well in the center of the dough.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 egg and 0.25 cup milk, then pour into the well.
Stir the dough until moistened.
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 0.13".
Cut the dough into 2" circles.
Bake at 375°F (191°C) for 8–10 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
Once cooled, spread 0.5 tsp of jam on the bottom of one cookie.
Cover the jam with another cookie to create a sandwich.
In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to make a glaze.
Glaze the top of one side of each double cookie and place 2-3 cinnamon candies into the glaze.
The cinnamon candies will represent holly berries.
Allow the glaze to set.
Using a small, clean paintbrush, paint several holly leaves and a stem on each cookie using green food coloring.

Variations

Substitute the raspberry jam with strawberry or apricot jam for a different flavor.
Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the cookie dough for added texture and flavor.
Use different colored food coloring for the holly leaves to create a variety of holly designs.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking.

- Use a sharp cookie cutter to cut out the dough for clean edges.

- Be careful not to overbake the cookies, as they can become dry.

- Allow the glaze to set completely before storing or serving the cookies.

Serving Suggestions

New Zealand Holly Cookies are perfect for serving at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a festive dessert after a holiday meal.

Cooking Techniques

Rolling out the dough to an even thickness ensures that the cookies bake evenly.

- Using a pastry brush to paint the holly leaves and stem with food coloring creates a detailed and realistic design.

Ingredient Substitutions

Butter can be used in place of margarine for a richer flavor.

- Almond or soy milk can be used in place of dairy milk for a dairy-free option.

Make Ahead Tips

The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. The baked cookies can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the New Zealand Holly Cookies on a festive platter or cookie tray for a beautiful presentation. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve New Zealand Holly Cookies with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or tea for a cozy and comforting treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store the New Zealand Holly Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To reheat, place the cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of New Zealand Holly Cookies contains approximately 180 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of New Zealand Holly Cookies contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of New Zealand Holly Cookies contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of New Zealand Holly Cookies contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

New Zealand Holly Cookies are not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

New Zealand Holly Cookies contain dairy and wheat.

Summary

New Zealand Holly Cookies are a sweet and indulgent treat that are best enjoyed in moderation due to their high sugar and fat content.

Summary

New Zealand Holly Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that are sure to impress your family and friends. With a buttery cookie base, sweet raspberry jam filling, and festive holly berry decorations, these cookies are a must-have for the holiday season. Enjoy these cookies with a warm beverage for a cozy and delicious treat.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of discovering this recipe for the first time is a treasured one. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village in New Zealand. My grandmother, whom we all affectionately called Nana, was known for her incredible baking skills. She could whip up the most delicious treats with just a few simple ingredients, and I was always in awe of her talent.

One day, while I was visiting Nana, she told me she had a special recipe to share with me. It was a recipe for New Zealand Holly Cookies, a traditional Christmas treat that was passed down through generations in our family. Nana explained that the cookies were named after the holly plant, which was believed to bring good luck and protection to those who ate them.

I eagerly watched as Nana gathered the ingredients for the cookies. She explained each step of the process to me, making sure I understood the importance of measuring each ingredient carefully and following the instructions precisely. As we began to mix the dough together, the sweet aroma of butter and vanilla filled the air, creating a sense of warmth and comfort that I will never forget.

Nana told me that the key to making perfect New Zealand Holly Cookies was to roll the dough out thinly and cut it into small rounds. She showed me how to carefully place a dollop of sweetened cream in the center of each round, before folding the edges over to create a little parcel. I watched in amazement as Nana expertly crimped the edges of each cookie with a fork, creating a beautiful pattern that resembled the leaves of a holly plant.

As we placed the cookies in the oven to bake, Nana shared stories of her own childhood and the times she spent in the kitchen with her own grandmother, learning how to bake and cook with love and care. She spoke of the joy she felt when she shared her family recipes with others, passing on the traditions and memories that had been handed down to her through the years.

When the cookies were finally done baking, Nana carefully removed them from the oven and placed them on a cooling rack to cool. The aroma of sweet pastry and creamy filling filled the kitchen, and I couldn't wait to try one of the cookies for myself. Nana smiled as she handed me a freshly baked cookie, the golden pastry glistening in the soft light of the kitchen.

I took a bite of the cookie and was instantly transported to a place of warmth and comfort. The buttery pastry melted in my mouth, while the sweet cream filling provided a burst of flavor that was both comforting and indulgent. I couldn't believe how delicious the cookies were, and I knew that this recipe would become a treasured tradition in my own family for years to come.

As I grew older, I continued to make Nana's New Zealand Holly Cookies every Christmas, sharing them with friends and family who marveled at their deliciousness. Each time I rolled out the dough and carefully crimped the edges of the cookies, I felt a sense of connection to my grandmother and the generations of women who came before her. I knew that this recipe held a special place in my heart, a reminder of the love and care that had been passed down through the years.

Now, as I sit in my own kitchen, preparing to make a batch of New Zealand Holly Cookies for my own grandchildren, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the memories and traditions that Nana shared with me so many years ago. The recipe may be simple, but the love and care that go into making these cookies is what truly makes them special. And as I take a bite of a freshly baked cookie, I can't help but smile, knowing that the legacy of Nana's New Zealand Holly Cookies will continue to live on for generations to come.