Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (2024)

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These traditional Hungarian Christmas Cookies from nagyanya (grandma) are simply delicious. Each bite reminds you of the old country, a time of good food and fond memories. If you are looking for old-fashioned Christmas cookies, try this Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe.

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe

My sister-in-law, Shelley, is an excellent baker and cook. I have shared a number of her recipes here in the past, including these Cranberry Noels Cookie Recipe and Rum Logs Recipe holiday cookies (Christmas cookies). When she brought these over for Christmas Eve, I knew I simply had to have the recipe to share! And since Shelley is such a good sport, she gave it to me and allowed me to share it with all of you.

These Hungarian Christmas Cookies are simply delicious. Shelley said they are quick to make, too, the prep time being only 30 minutes (for Christmas cookies, that is fast!). If you like traditional Christmas cookies, give these a go!

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe Ingredients:

● 3 cups All-purpose Flour
● 16 TBSP Butter (½ pound or 2 sticks)
● 1 packet Rapid Rise Yeast (¼ oz envelope)
● 2 TBSP Sugar
● 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
● ½ cup Light Cream
● 3 Egg Yolks
● 1 cup Powdered Sugar

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Mise en Place:

Measuring CupHungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (2)
Measuring Spoons
● Spatula
Stand MixerHungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (3)
Rolling PinHungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (4)
Baking SheetsHungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (5)

● Preheat oven to 325°.
● For dough:
● Using a stand mixer, mix together all-purpose flour and butter; cream together.
● In a medium bowl, add 1 packet of rapid rise yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar; allow to soften.
● Add vanilla extract, light cream, and egg yolks to the yeast mixture; mix together well.
● Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture; mix well until a dough is formed.
● Place dough on a board, cut in half.
● Cut each half of the dough into 3 pieces.
● Roll each piece into a small ball.
● Place a small amount of powdered sugar on the board, and roll out a small ball into a thin, round shape.
● Cut pieces like you were cutting a pie, 8 pieces from each ball.
● Place 1 teaspoon of filling on the dough spread out.

● Bake in preheated 325° oven for 20 minutes or until slightly brown at the edges.
● Roll in powdered sugar.
● Allow the cookies to cool.
● Store in a container lined with waxed paper.
● Date Filling directions:
● In a pot on the stove, combine stoned and cut dates, ½ cup sugar, and ¾ cup water. Cook for 10 minutes.
● Cool mixture and then add ¼ tsp and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; mix well.
● Add ¼ cup ground walnuts; mix well.
● Nut Filling directions:
● Combine 1 pound of shelled and ground walnuts with ¼ cup sugar; mix well.
● Add 1 tablespoon of milk, mix, add a second tablespoon of milk, mix. You want this moist, not wet. You may need more or less milk than what is listed.

Yield: 1

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (8)

Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe. These traditional Hungarian Christmas Cookies from nagyanya (grandma) are simply delicious. Each bite reminds you of the old country; a time of good food and fond memories. If you are looking for old-fashioned Christmas cookies, try this Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe!

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time5 minutes

Total Time55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All-purpose Flour
  • 16 TBSP Butter
  • 1 packet Rapid Rise Yeast (¼ oz envelope)
  • 2 TBSP Sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ½ cup Light Cream
  • 3 Egg Yolks
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

    1. preheat oven to 325°.
    2. For the dough:
    3. Using a stand mixer, mix together all-purpose flour and butter; cream together.
    4. In a medium bowl, add 1 packet of rapid rise yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar; allow to soften.
    5. Add vanilla extract, light cream, and egg yolks to the yeast mixture; mix together well.
    6. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture; mix well until a dough is formed.
    7. Place dough on a board, cut in half.
    8. Cut each half of the dough into 3 pieces.
    9. Roll each piece into a small ball.
    10. Place a small amount of powdered sugar on the board, and roll out a small ball into a thin, round shape.
    11. Cut pieces like you were cutting a pie, 8 pieces from each ball.
    12. Place 1 teaspoon of filling on the dough spread out.
    13. Bake in preheated 325° oven for 20 minutes or until slightly brown at the edges.
    14. Roll in powdered sugar.
    15. Allow the cookies to cool.
    16. Store in a container lined with waxed paper.
    17. Date Filling directions:
    18. In a pot on the stove, combine stoned and cut dates, ½ cup sugar, and ¾ cup water. Cook for 10 minutes.
    19. Cool mixture and then add ¼ tsp and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; mix well.
    20. Add ¼ cup ground walnuts; mix well.
    21. Nut Filling directions:
    22. Combine 1 pound of shelled and ground walnuts with ¼ cup sugar; mix well.
    23. Add one tablespoon of milk, mix, add another tablespoon of milk, mix. You want this moist, not wet. You may need more or less milk than what is listed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 82Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 33mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

First Published: November 30, 2016

Last Updated: December 20, 2020

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Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does kifli mean in Hungarian? ›

Kifli, kiflice, kifle, or kipferl is a traditional yeast bread roll that is rolled and formed into a crescent before baking.

What is the difference between kolacky and kiffle? ›

They are pronounced "kif-fulls". In the U.S., you can find them in parts of Pennsylvania. Kiffles are similar to Polish Kolacky or Czech Kolache (small, sweet yeast buns with fruit filling poked into its side) but use a different dough. Kiffle dough has cream cheese and butter in it.

What is the difference between Rugelach and Kifli? ›

What is the difference between rugelach and kifli? Rugelach and kifli are very similar rolled cookie desserts but the biggest difference comes down to the fillings with kifli usually being filled with walnuts while rugelach can be filled with fruit preserves, chocolate, etc.

What do Hungarians say before eating? ›

Jó étvágyat!

“Enjoy your meal!” Hungarians always say 'jó étvágyat” to each other before they start devouring their meal.

What is a babushka Hungarian? ›

A headscarf tied under the chin

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

What is the most eaten cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What does kolache mean in hungarian? ›

Kolach or kalach is a traditional bread found in Central and Eastern European cuisines, commonly served during various special occasions – particularly wedding celebrations, Christmas, Easter, and Dożynki. The name originates from the Old Slavonic word kolo (коло) meaning "circle" or "wheel".

Are kiffles and rugelach the same? ›

In late twentieth century America, kipfel, particularly with an unleavened cream cheese dough, became better known as rugelach.” kipfele had a pronounced F that is no longer around in the Hasidic pronunciation, which is kipele. In the 1933 Crisco Recipes for the Jewish Housewife, there's a kipfel recipe.

What nationality is Kifli? ›

Thought to have originated in Vienna, the original Kifli are much different than the version served widely in Hungary today. They were savory, crescent shaped breads and sprinkled with poppy, sesame or caraway seeds and sometimes accompanied with jam.

Why do Jews eat rugelach? ›

Rugelach are often served on Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Shavuot, though of course they can (and should!) be made throughout the year. Our family typically serves them during Rosh Hashanah, when sweet foods are made to signify a sweet new year.

What is the Yiddish word for rugelach? ›

Rugelach (/ˈruːɡələx/ ROO-gəl-əkh; Yiddish: ראגעלעך, or Yiddish: רוגעלעך, romanized: rugelekh and Hebrew: רוגלך rōgalaḵ) is a filled baked confection originating in the Jewish communities of Poland. It is also a popular treat among Jews in the diaspora.

What is Roselach? ›

The 'roselach' at Breads Bakery are made with marzipan, rose water, and sprinkled with raspberry. ( courtesy Breads Bakery) Roses are red, rugelach are, too.

What is the word for girl in Hungarian? ›

Translation for 'girl' from English to Hungarian

girl lány {noun} leány {noun} kislány {noun}

What is the difference between croissant and kifli? ›

The kipfel (aka, the kifli, kiflice, kifle or kipferl,), is a cookie or bread roll . It was much denser than the delicate French croissants. Legends say the crescent shape comes from quite another event in history, the victory the Austrians had over the Ottomans at the siege of Vienna.

What does kiss mean in Hungary? ›

Kiss (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈkiʃ]) is a very common Hungarian surname, derived from kis, meaning "small". The name was applied as a nickname for a person of small stature or the younger of two bearers of the same personal name.

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