Christmas Around the World. Susenky (Czech Foundation Cookies) #ChristmasCookies

We are halfway through the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies event.  I decided to travel the World and I am having a blast.  I hope that you are as well.

Welcome to 12 Days of Cookies, hosted by FamilyAroundTheTable and CookingwithCarlee. We'll are sharing delicious cookie recipes all week long in celebration of the holiday season. Perfect for your holiday cookie trays or party dessert table. Search #ChristmasCookies to see all the goodies these 12 days. Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Pinterest board for more cookie ideas. 

Today I am off to the birthplace of my maternal Grandmother, Czechoslavakia.  I don't remember my Grandma ever making cookies.  I remember her raisin bread and her blueberry pie.  I remember head cheese and tongue.  I remember stews and soups.  But I don't ever remember homemade cookies.

Not having a "hand me down" recipe from Grandma's home country, I did the next best thing.  I headed over to About.com where Barbara Rolek, Eastern European Food Expert posts all kinds of great recipes. That is where I found this recipe for Susenky.

This recipe is perfect today, December 6th, as it is St. Nicholas Day.  Today is the day when those of us who have Czech heritage, begin the celebration of the Christmas season.  We are going to my daughter, Amy's, for dinner tonight as we have for the past 3 St. Nick Days.  I am bringing these cookies to share.

This cookie is, thus far, the most time consuming. Mostly because it is a butter cookie that need to be rolled thin and then cut into your desired shape.  The cookies are very buttery so you....

• Roll them between 2 sheets of parchment
• Remove the top parchment
• Cut into desired shape
• Remove scraps from between cookies
• Add a "window" to half of the shaped cookies
• Bake
• Cool
• Sprinkle the window cookies with powdered sugar
• Spread jam on the bottom cookie
• Top with the window cookie

Each batch was only 6 -8 cookies so this took a while.  It was not difficult, just time consuming, so plan it on a day when you have a lot of free time, turn on the Christmas music and enjoy.  I chose to make mine with a window and jam but you could also sprinkle with colored sugar or frost them with cookie icing.  The only adaptation I made to this recipe was to add a pinch of salt as I used unsalted butter. 

Susenky 

slightly adapted from Barbara Rolek, Eastern European Food Expert

2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

pinch of salt

4 c. flour

Strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)

Powdered sugar

In large bowl of stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Mix in the vanilla.  Add the salt and 1/2 c. of the flour, mix at low speed until combined. Gradually mix in remaining flour until you have a smooth dough.

Roll dough between two pieces of parchment paper to a thickness of 3/16" if sandwiching cookies and/or 1/8" if sugaring or icing the cookies.  Remove top piece of parchment and cut cookies into desired shapes.  Remove scraps from between cookies and return to unrolled dough.  Cut a window into half of the cookies. Place the parchment onto a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350* oven for 8-10 minutes.  Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sprinkle the cookies with a window with powdered sugar.  Smear a small amount of jam onto each bottom cookie and top with the sugared cookie.  

Repeat until all dough is used.  Print Recipe  

Here are the other offerings on Day 6 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies

• Cherry Kiss Cookies from Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies from Making the Most of Naptime
• Jewelled Fruitcake Bars from A Palatable Pastime
• Oatmeal Raisin Almond Cookies from Feeding Big
• Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Family Around the Table
• Soft and Spicy Molasses Cookies from Cooking With Carlee
• Spiced Pretzel Walnut Cookies with Chocolate Chips from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Susensky from A Day in the Life on The Farm