Of Cookies and Victorian Christmases

 

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 I tried a new cookie recipe this year for our holiday baskets. Years ago my mom made a similar recipe from Taste of Home magazine, and I've been wanting to make them again, so I started Googling! I came across several recipes including the Taste of Home version, but in the end the following recipe for Swedish Ribbon Cookies won out, because it called for almond extract rather than vanilla, and I love almond especially in shortbread type cookies like this. You could substitute vanilla if you prefer it - but I definitely think the almond flavor makes these. And they are so pretty for gift baskets! The original recipe can be found {here}.

Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 egg yolk

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup strained jam (I used raspberry and didn't strain, but with the almond flavoring in the cookies I think apricot would be yummy too!)

Beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Beat in egg yolk and almond extract. Sift together flour and salt and mix with butter mixture until blended. Divide dough into five pieces. Roll each piece into a log about 12" long with a scant 1" diameter. Place logs 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. With the side of your little finger, make a narrow, shallow trench down the length of each log, leaving a little space at ends so trench is closed. Bake logs at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place jam in a small ziplock bag. After the initial 10 minutes, pipe a thin strip of jam down the length of each trench. Return to oven and bake until firm to touch and golden brown at edges - another five to ten minutes. Cool on cookie sheet five minutes minimum, then cut into strips at 45 degree angles while still warm. Finish cooling. 

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice (I used lime juice for one batch because I had no lemon, and it worked also)

1-2 teaspoons water

Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add enough water to obtain drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cooled cookies. After glaze has set, wrap cookies in an airtight container between layers of waxed or parchment paper.

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Aaaand to get you in the holiday spirit (for next Christmas, that is :o), you may want to check out this BBC series! They did a television show several years ago called "Victorian Farm" which is now on YouTube, following three people who work and live as Victorian era farmers for a year. Then they did a "Victorian Farm Christmas" special in three episodes, in which the same people experience a Victorian Christmas season in all its splendor! The series is so educational and fascinating and old-fashioned-Christmas-y. My sis and I listened to this while we were doing our Christmas baking. :o) Do let me know what you think of it!

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One last holiday post with a few of my favorite decorative ideas/crafts for this year coming soon -- I hope you have been enjoying a festive and happy season. :o)