Description
Spiced Holiday Pryaniki Cookies – Ginger Cookies
These Pryaniki – Slavic/Russian Spiced Holiday Cookies (пряник) are soft and moist on the inside, with a lightly crisp outer layer coated in a delicate glaze. Spiced with all the holiday favorites, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger—these cookies are the perfect treat for the festive season!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Ingredients for Dough
- 3 cups + 1/4 tablespoon of All-purpose Flour
- 1 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 cup Hot Water
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 stick (3 1/2 tablespoons) Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 1/4 teaspoon ground dry Ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon (or pinch) Nutmeg
- Pinch of Salt
Ingredients for Frosting
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 teaspoons Water
Topping
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Heat 1/4 cup of sugar in a pot over high heat, stirring constantly until it melts and turns dark brown. Lower the heat to medium and carefully add the hot water. Stir until the caramelized sugar dissolves. (Be careful as you pour in the water; it may splatter on you.) Add the remaining 1 cup of sugar and spices, cook and stir until everything is fully dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter until melted. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly.
- Beat the egg in a small bowl. When the syrup has cooled, slowly mix in the beaten egg until fully combined.
- Transfer the syrup mixture into a large bowl. Whisk baking powder and flour together in a bowl. Gradually sift in the flour, mixing after each addition, until a soft, sticky, playdough-like dough forms. (Note: if your dough seems crumbly, add a few drops of water at a time and knead until it forms into a playdough-like dough.)
- Divide and weigh the dough into portions of about 1.55 oz (44 g) each and roll into balls with the palms of your hands. Gently flatten each ball with your palm. Place a piece of parchment underneath and use a round cookie cutter, measuring cup or bowl to gently swirl and shape each piece into a smooth Pryanik. Arrange the shaped dough on a buttered parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Let the cookies cool completely.
- Mix powdered sugar with a small dash of water to form a thick frosting. Dip the cooled cookies into the frosting for an even coat, then set them on a cooling rack to allow excess frosting to drip off. Before the frosting fully dries, toss the cookies back into a bowl of powdered sugar for a second light coating and brush excess sugar off, and enjoy!
Notes
*** Our Nutrition information is estimated, so please make sure to check your own calculations to fit your diet.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Russian