Finnish butter cookies are the perfect treat to start your holiday baking and satisfy your sweet tooth. With their balance of buttery flavor and a topping of almond crunch, these cookies are ideal for your festive gatherings.
The Joy of Baking Finnish Butter Cookies
As the festive season approaches, there’s something magical in the air—a sense of warmth and nostalgia, marked by the sweet aroma of baked goods. It’s that time of year when holiday tins filled with buttery cookies take center stage in stores, serving as the perfect reminder that Christmas is just around the corner. For many, including myself, this seasonal treat is not just about indulgence, but also about getting into the holiday spirit.
A Personal Connection to Holiday Baking
Every year, I notice the arrival of those tins of cookies that appear in stores. Yet, I often find myself tangled in a dilemma: which cookies should I choose? Despite trying to remember my favorites, I usually end up with a mix that falls short of my expectations. That’s when I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and bake my very own festive cookies.
Crafting the Perfect Finnish Butter Cookie
One of my go-to holiday recipes is for Finnish Butter Cookies. These treats are not overly sweet but have a rich flavor, bolstered by almonds and a touch of coarse sugar on top. For those who may not be fond of almonds, don’t fret—these cookies are just as delicious without them, and you can still sprinkle a bit of sparkling sugar to add that festive touch.
The Art of Rolling Dough for Finnish Butter Cookies
Baking can sometimes feel daunting, but Finnish Butter Cookies provide a simple way to dip your proverbial toes into the world of rolled cookies. The joy of mixing and preparing the cookie dough comes with a small challenge: rolling it out to the right thickness. This can be complicated if the dough is too cold, making it unyielding, or too warm, rendering it impossible to shape. The good news? These cookies are quite forgiving! If you find yourself in a sticky situation, you can always roll the dough out again. Enjoy the process!
Cut or Slice Finnish Butter Cookies—Your Choice!
While traditional cookie cutters make for whimsical shapes, you can also opt for a more rustic approach. By rolling out the dough into a large piece and slicing it into rectangles, you can achieve a charming, homemade look that is perfect for any gathering. Just remember to keep track of how many you cut if you’re aiming for those 36 cookies!
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Finnish Butter Cookies
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutter
- plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds, chopped
- coarse sugar for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy and smooth. Stir in the flour and then beat until well mixed. Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic cling film, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thick on a floured surface. Flour the top of the dough so it doesn’t stick to the rolling pin. Use cookie cutters to cut simple shapes, or roll the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into smaller rectangles.
- Place the cookies on a baking pan, spacing them 2 inches apart. Brush the dough with the egg and sprinkle almonds and coarse sugar over the top.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.