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Authentic Aachener Printen

The world famous Aachener Printen - richly spiced with deep caramel-like flavor notes!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
1 d
Total Time
1 d 35 mins
Servings: 18 Printen (depending on size)
Calories: 138 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (250 g) Graftschafter Sugar Beet Syrup *strongly recommended but see blog post for info about suitable substitute
  • 1/3 cup (75 g) firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) German or Belgian brown rock sugar , pounded and crushed into tiny crystals
  • 1 1/2 ounces (40 g) homemade candied orange peel , very finely chopped (homemade STRONGLY recommended, it's easy and it makes ALL the difference! Click blue link for recipe)
  • 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons homemade Lebkuchengewürz
  • OR storebought Lebkuchengewürz (we STRONGLY recommend homemade for the best flavor results, click blue link above for recipe)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baker's ammonia *see blog post for explanation
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground aniseed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, lebkuchengewürz, ground anise, baker's ammonia, baking soda and salt. Set aside until ready to use.
  2. In a small saucepan heat the sugar beet syrup and brown sugar until the brown sugar is completely dissolved.  Let it cool down a bit.
  3. Pour the sugar beet syrup into the bowl of a stand mixer and add the candied orange peel.Add the flour mixture and the crushed brown rock sugar.Using the paddle attachment, mix the ingredients until fully combined.  The dough will be soft and pliable but not sticky.  If the dough is very sticky add a little more flour.  If the dough is too dry, add a tiny bit of water.If you don't have a stand mixer you can stir and then knead this by hand.Form the dough into a flattened 1-inch thick disk, wrap really well in plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a cool place (NOT IN THE FRIDGE) for 24-48 hours.
  4. Roll the dough out onto a non-stick surface (I use plastic wrap) to about 1/4 inch or 5mm thickness.  If the dough is too sticky knead in a little more flour.At this point you can either press the dough into lightly floured wooden molds, invert the molds and cut out the designs (using the scraps to make more Printen), or you can cut the dough into small rectangles.Place the Printen on a lined cookie sheet and place a whole blanched almond on top (or however you'd like to design them).At this point you can either bake them immediately or you can glaze them.  For the glaze you can either brush the cookies with a little milk before baking them to create a sheen OR you can bake the cookies first and brush them while they're still hot with a glaze made from half sugar beet syrup/half water and let them sit to dry, then store them in an airtight container (they may still be a little sticky).Another option is to coat or dip them in chocolate after they're baked and fully cooled.  You can add one or more whole blanched almonds while the chocolate is still wet or cover them in sliced or slivered almonds.
  5. In an oven preheated to 350 F bake the Printen for 12-18 minutes until lightly browned.
  6. Once cooled completely, store them in an airtight container.  Properly stored in an airtight container in a cool place, Aachener Printen will keep for several months and their flavor only gets better with time.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 138kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 67mg (3%) Potassium 20mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 20g (40%) Calcium 5mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 18Printen (depending on size)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 138

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 138kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 67mg 3%
Potassium 20mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 20g 40%
Calcium 5mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.