Jam Cookies – Spitzbuben / Hildabrötchen

These delicious cookies are considered traditional Christmas cookies in Germany, while in Austria they are year-round. There are also different names for them, “Spitzbuben” is a regional synonym for “Hildabrötchen”. Not only are there different names for these cookies but the shape can vary. The hole in the middle is a must, but some areas in Austria the cookies have three small holes instead of one large one.

Ingredients:

375 g flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
200 g sugar
1 package vanilla sugar
1 dash of salt
250 g butter
125 g ground almonds

125 g jam or jelly, red

Instructions:

Prepare your cookie sheets by lining them with baking paper and heat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl. Then add the other ingredients and combine all with a mixer and dough hook on low. Turn on high until you have a smooth dough. Turn the dough onto a flour dusted working surface and roll it out thinly. Using a round cookie cutter with a diameter of 4 cm, cut out cookies and bake for 10 min.

Let the cookies cool off, smooth jam/jell with a spoon, then brush one cookie with it and place a second on top and press together.