Hazelnut Stars

Yule is the time of year when we celebrate the Sun's rebirth which, from the winter solstice onward, brings us more and more light and warmth. As our Sun is a star, why not celebrate Yule with this fitting symbol?

As you can see in the picture, I used all sorts of cookie molds - five-pointed and six-pointed stars, Christmas trees, comets, bells and so on. Of course, all of these symbols have a special meaning in regard to Yule. Bells have been a symbol of protection for ages because it was believed that their light tones could ward off evil spirits and negative energy. The Christmas tree is descendant of the Yule log, but they both symbolize the same notion - the predominance of life over death (the Sun is reborn and life is once more returned to the earth, in addition to this, both the Yule log and Christmas tree are always of some evergreen tree, or at least a tree that is a symbol of strength and endurance). Stars are a source of light and every Sun is a primary source of light and warmth. These symbols are therefore especially fitting for the Yule celebration when we welcome the Sun once more.

But let us now move on to the recipe so you can enjoy these fine, crumbly holiday cookies!

You Will Need:

• 200g butter
• 150g sugar
• 200g ground almonds
• 200g hard wheat flour
• 150g plain wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 egg whites
• a handful of hazelnuts
• 1 spoon yogurt
• marmalade (whichever you prefer, I used one made of mixed fruits)
• cookie molds (your choice, although stars are recommended)

How To Prepare:

1. Mix together softened butter, sugar, almonds, cinnamon, egg yolks and flour. Separate the egg whites in a small bowl and put then in the fridge.
2. Wrap the dough in cling film and leave it in the fridge for at least half an hour.
3. Wrap the hazelnuts in cling film and smash them with a meat tenderizer (feel free to leave a few bigger pieces in there).
4. Cover your baking tray with baking paper.
5. Get the dough out of the fridge, roll it out thinly and form the cookies using your cookie molds (repeat this until you run out of dough).
6. Place the cookies on the baking tray, daub with egg whites and sprinkle the hazelnuts on them (since 2 cookies are later "glued together" with marmalade, I placed them in pairs, so to speak, and only covered every second cookie with egg whites and hazelnuts).
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 175°C. Take care not to let the cookies get too golden-brown (you may even need less than 10 minutes depending on the strength of your oven).
8. Once the cookies have cooled down a bit, smear marmalade on them and glue 2 cookies (of the same shape) together.

I wish you all a joyous and blessed Yule! May you be cheerful and fat these holidays. :)

Yours,

Witch's Cat