Czech Christmas Perníčky (Vánoční perníčky)
User Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Additional Time
2 d
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Total Time
2 d 28 mins
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Servings
25 pieces
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Calories
131 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
Czech
Czech Christmas Perníčky (Vánoční perníčky)
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In the Czech Republic, Perníčky (gingerbread shapes) are a cherished Christmas tradition, filling homes with the warm aroma of spices and the joy of decorating. Bring this tradition to your home with a delicious Czech Perníčky recipe decorated with almonds!
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Ingredients
Gingerbread spice (perníkové koření)
- 1 piece anise star
- 1 teaspoon anise
- 5 pieces cloves
- 5 pieces allspice
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
Perníčky dough
- 13 ¼ ounces all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ ounces bee honey
- 1 ¾ ounces unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 3 ounces powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon dutch cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ Tablespoon gingerbread spice you have made ahead
Decoration
- 3 ½ ounces almonds whole, blanched
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon dutch cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 Tablespoon water hot
White icing (optional)
- ½ egg white
- 3 ½ ounces icing sugar fine, sifted
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Instructions
Gingerbread spice:
- Grind 5 pieces cloves, 1 piece anise star, 1 teaspoon anise, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, and 5 pieces allspice using a spice-dedicated coffee grinder. Sift through a coarse sieve to remove hard bits, then mix with 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground) for a fragrant gingerbread spice blend.
- Melt 1 ¾ ounces unsalted butter and 3 ½ ounces bee honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 ½ Tablespoon gingerbread spice, then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 13 ¼ ounces all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 3 ounces powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon Dutch cocoa powder. Pour in the melted mixture of butter, honey, and spices, then add 2 eggs. Mix with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until a sticky dough forms.
- Use a pastry spatula to transfer the dough from the bowl into a plastic bag. Seal it, then refrigerate for two days. The dough will firm up and become simple to handle.
- Before starting to bake the gingerbread, take the time to roast the almonds. Arrange 3 ½ ounces almonds (whole, blanched) on a baking tray and roast them in the oven at 350°F (170°C) for 10 minutes. This simple step enhances their flavor and makes them wonderfully crunchy. It is well worth the effort!
- Prepare the glaze by whisking 1 egg with ¼ teaspoon Dutch cocoa powder, that you have dissolved in 1 Tablespoon water (hot). Take care to ensure there are no lumps of cocoa in the mixture. I whisk the eggs and cocoa together by hand using a fork.
- Roll out the rested dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.
- Cut out your desired shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Press blanched almonds gently onto the gingerbread—they will stick perfectly as they bake.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (170°C) for 8 minutes.
- Brush the Perníčky immediately after baking, while it is still hot, with a mixture of beaten egg with cocoa powder.
- White icing: To make the egg white icing for decorating, start by sifting 3 ½ ounces icing sugar to ensure it is smooth and fine. Add ½ egg white, then beat with a hand-held mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on high speed until the icing is thick and glossy. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag with the tip cut off, and decorate the gingerbread cookies as you like!
Notes
- The basic recipe makes 25-30 Perníčky shapes depending on their size.
- MAKING THE DOUGH: Since the dough is quite sticky, I recommend using a kitchen mixer with a hook attachment. You can make it by hand, but expect sticky fingers and use a pastry spatula to scrape off the dough. Whichever method you choose, resist the urge to add more flour—the dough is supposed to be sticky!
- Decorating Perníčky with egg white icing can be tricky for beginners, as it requires a steady hand and patience. For a simpler option, decorate with just almonds—they are elegant and festive on their own! If you still want to use icing, even a few white dots and lines can create beautiful Christmas designs.
- STORAGE: Once the icing on the gingerbread cookies has set, place them in a paper box lined with foil. Cover with a lid and store them in a cool, dark place.
- Many people want gingerbread that is soft straight from the oven (perníčky hned měkké), without the need to rest. This recipe offers that, but only if you bake them correctly: 8 minutes at 350°F (170°C) are fine! If you overbake and they come out crispy, they will remain hard. Tricks like placing a sliced apple in the storage box can help, but only slightly.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
131kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
24g
(8%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
0.003g
Cholesterol
20mg
(7%)
Sodium
32mg
(1%)
Potassium
69mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
33IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 25pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 131 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 131kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 32mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 69mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 33IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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