Email to Kim Shook      

Christa’s German Shortbread Cookies

Source of Recipe

My friend, Christa


Recipe Introduction

These are Deutsche “Mürbeteig-Plätzchen”, a recipe that Christa made for her grandson’s christening. They are tender and fragrant with the almond paste, easy to cut out and even keep their shape when baked. Christa even used her lettering gadget to emboss his name and the date in tiny little figures and they stayed perfectly legible.

List of Ingredients

1 stick + 3 Tbsp. butter (room temperature)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg yolk
1/2 of an 8 oz. can Pure Almond Paste
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour



Recipe

NOTE: The almond paste was very thick. You can try opening both ends of the can and pushing it out, or scoop out with a strong spoon. Christa says that the almond paste in the rolls was too hard.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the flat metal beater, mix the butter and almond paste until combined. Add the sugar, vanilla and egg yolk and mix well. Add the flour and combine thoroughly until you have a smooth dough. Shape into a disc, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Roll out in batches on a floured surface to about 3mm thickness. Cut with cooky cutters and place on the baking sheet (you can place them fairly close together – they don’t spread). Bake for 10-12 minutes – until the edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet for a few minutes then cool completely on a rack.