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Pryaniki – Russian Honey Spice Cookies Recipe

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3.8 from 33 reviews

Pryaniki are traditional Russian honey spice cookies known for their soft texture and warm aromatic flavors from spices like allspice, nutmeg, and anise. These cookies are made by dissolving instant coffee in water, then combining it with butter, sugar, and honey, followed by a rest period to develop flavor and texture before baking. Finished with a sweet glaze, Pryaniki make a delightful treat perfect for tea time or holiday celebrations.

  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes (including resting time)
  • Yield: 105 cookies

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup instant coffee
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups honey
  • 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise (ground or liquid extract)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 6 cups all purpose flour

Glaze Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Dissolve Coffee: In a medium saucepan, dissolve the instant coffee in the hot water, stirring until fully combined.
  2. Melt Butter and Sugars: Add butter, granulated sugar, and honey to the coffee mixture. Heat on medium, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely, creating a homogeneous mixture. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add Spices: Stir in vanilla extract, allspice, grated nutmeg, and anise. You may optionally add other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, or mint extract for additional flavor depth.
  4. Add Eggs and Leavening: Whisk in the eggs followed by baking soda dissolved in vinegar and baking powder. The mixture will fizz slightly, indicating a reaction between these components.
  5. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, stirring with a large wooden spoon until the dough forms and all flour is absorbed.
  6. Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight. This resting period enhances the flavor and sets the texture.
  7. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Shape Cookies: Use a 1 tablespoon measuring scoop to portion the dough into balls, then roll each ball in your hands to form smooth spheres. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet, allowing room for expansion during baking.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft rather than hard.
  10. Prepare Glaze: While the cookies bake, whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a large bowl until smooth. Flavor the glaze with extracts like vanilla, almond, or mint if desired.
  11. Glaze Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, dip each into the glaze allowing excess to drip off. Place on racks or parchment paper to dry. When dry, flip and glaze the other side for full coverage. Work quickly as the glaze hardens fast; add a splash more milk if it thickens prematurely.
  12. Store: Store the glazed Pryaniki in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Resting the dough is crucial to achieving the traditional texture and flavor of Pryaniki; do not skip or shorten this step.
  • You can customize the spice profile by adding or substituting spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or cloves to suit your taste.
  • Use a measuring scoop for uniform cookie sizes to ensure even baking.
  • Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and slightly chewy.
  • Glaze flavors can be altered by adding different extracts to suit your preference.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus at least 4 hours resting time)
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Russian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/pryaniki-russian-honey-spice-cookies-recipe/