Description

These Delicious Punschsterne Christmas Cookies are a festive treat featuring a tender almond and spice-infused dough, gently sweetened with powdered sugar and flavored with aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The cookies are lightly moistened with a non-alcoholic punch blend, rolled into charming star shapes, and baked to golden perfection for a delightful holiday snack or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely ground almonds
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup non-alcoholic punch or juice (a mix of apple juice, cranberry juice, and spices)
1 egg white

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Instructions

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, finely ground almonds, powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly mixed.
Beat Egg White: In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form to incorporate air into it, ensuring a light texture.
Fold Egg White Into Dry Mixture: Gently fold the beaten egg white into the dry ingredient mixture, taking care to maintain the airiness for a tender dough.
Add Punch and Butter: Pour in the non-alcoholic punch or juice along with the softened unsalted butter. Mix until the dough is well combined, yielding a slightly sticky but manageable consistency.
Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which aids in rolling and shaping.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookies’ edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
Cool and Optional Glaze: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Optionally, prepare a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of lemon juice or water and brush it over the cooled cookies to add a beautiful shiny finish.

Notes

Use finely ground almonds for a smooth texture.
Refrigerating the dough is essential for easier rolling and cleaner cookie shapes.
The non-alcoholic punch adds moisture and a subtle fruity flavor; you can customize it with your favorite juice blend.
Ensure the egg white is beaten to stiff peaks to give the cookies a light and airy texture.
The glaze is optional but adds a festive, shiny touch and slight sweetness.
Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.