Dive into the rich culinary heritage of Croatia with Paprenjaci, traditional pepper cookies that marry warm spices and sweet notes in every bite. These iconic treats are a unique blend of all-purpose flour, honey, sugar, and ground walnuts, infused with aromatic cinnamon, cloves, and a surprising hint of black pepper, giving them their signature bold flavor. Carefully crafted and shaped into intricate designs, these cookies not only taste divine but also showcase a visual artistry. With a firm yet tender texture, Paprenjaci are perfect for festive occasions or as a delightful snack alongside tea or coffee. Simple to make and lasting up to two weeks in an airtight container, this Croatian favorite offers a flavorful glimpse into the country's time-honored baking traditions.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, ground black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and honey together. Once melted, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar together until the mixture is pale and creamy. Stir in the ground walnuts.
Gradually add the cooled butter and honey mixture to the egg yolk mixture, stirring to combine.
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough briefly by hand until it is smooth and well integrated.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and firm up.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 5mm thick (about 1/4 inch). Use cookie cutters to shape the dough into intricate designs, such as flowers, animals, or geometric patterns.
Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the cooled Paprenjaci in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Serving size | (1046.0g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4665.4 |
Total Fat 220.0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 118.1g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g | |
Cholesterol 956.5mg | 0% |
Sodium 2385.1mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 612.5g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 15.9g | 0% |
Total Sugars 226.4g | |
Protein 60.3g | 0% |
Vitamin D 76.4IU | 0% |
Calcium 215.1mg | 0% |
Iron 26.0mg | 0% |
Potassium 761.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories