Portions: 6 servings Calories: 196kcal |
Popular as a Christmas treat both in Denmark and in Latin America, I bring you the real deal: Homemade, old-fashioned Danish butter cookies (vaniljekranse). I share with you the one recipe that brings my Danish-Dominican family together.
By
- Last revised . Published Dec 23, 2011.Why I ā¤ļø it Recipe Ingredients Video Preparation
Danish vaniljekranse.
Why I ā¤ļø it
One of the most beautiful things about cooking is bringing cultures and people together. Dishes from many places join our holiday table, some of which we may know little about.
One of those holiday traditions is Danish sugar cookies (those that come in decorated tins that then turn into grandma's sewing kits) from a country on the other side of the world that I love very much: Denmark.
Vanilla Danish butter cookies recipe
This free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, and I receive a small commission when you purchase, at no cost to you. Thank you!
Utensils and tools
Ingredients
- Ā¾ cup sliced peeled almonds [82 grams]
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour [270 grams]
- 1 cup white, granulated sugar [200 grams]
- 1Ā¾ sticks salted butter at room temperature [200 g]
- 1 large egg, [about 60 grams]
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract [12 ml]
Video
Preparation
Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.
Step 1: Mixing dry ingredients
Put the almonds in the food processor and grind until they have the texture of brown sugar with tiny grains.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and ground almonds. Use a wire whisk to stir until well combined.
Step 2: Make the dough
Mix the dry ingredients and butter over medium speed in the stand mixer with the paddle attachment until everything is thoroughly combined.
Add the egg and vanilla into the mixture and beat until combined.
Step 3: Make the cookies
Put the cookie dough in a piping bag with a medium, open star tip.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Form 1 Ā½-inch diameter rings with the pastry bag on the prepared baking sheet. You can make other shapes by experimenting with another piping tip.
Place it in the refrigerator until the oven is heated at 350Ā°F [175 Ā°C].
Step 4: Baking
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
Remove from oven and place on a wire rack until they cool to room temperature. When they reach room temperature, store them in an airtight container.
Top tips
- It is important to use fresh and good-quality ingredients for the best flavor and results. They should all be at room temperature at the time of preparation.
- You can also use a cookie press to make cookies in fun shapes.
- If you don't have a piping bag or cookie press you can make round cookies by forming a roll with the dough after you cool it down in step 5. Leave the roll in the fridge for an additional hour and then cut into slices Ā¼" thick and bake immediately.
- To decorate these circles with almonds or coconut do it before baking.
- If you do not eat all the cookies on the same day, keeping the jar in the fridge is best to keep them fresh longer.
Serving suggestions
Great with a freshly brewed steaming cup of Dominican coffee, I also love these with tea, like this Christmas ginger tea.
Background
Danish butter cookies are ring-shaped (or vaguely pretzel-looking) and are called Vaniljekranse or vanilla wreaths (like the wreaths placed on the house door at Christmas).
This Danish butter cookie recipe is based mainly on two Danish Christmas cookie recipes (with some major modifications): the recipe in the book Dining with the Danes by Lynn Andersen, and my Danish mother-in-law's recipe. It's one of my favorite cookie recipes.
Don't be intimidated by the idea of baking these. I assure you it's easier than it looks, and with so many cookies, you can give away and share with your friends and families.
You may also enjoy these Christmas ginger cookies, Mantecaditos (Dominican cookies), and these easy butter cookies.
Nutritional information
Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Print card
This is just a printer-friendly summary; some useful details are found in the recipe above.
Danish Butter Cookies [Recipe+Video] Vaniljekranse
Ingredients
- Ā¾ cup almonds , peeled, in slices [82 g]
- 2 cups all-purpose flour , sifted [270 g]
- 1 cup sugar (white, granulated) [200 g]
- 1ā stick butter (unsalted),Ā at room temperature. [200 g]
- 1 egg (large)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract [12 ml]
Instructions
- Mixing dry ingredients: Put the almonds in the food processor and grind until it has the texture of brown sugar with tiny grains.In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, and ground almonds. Use a wire whisk to stir until well combined.
- Mixing:Ā Mix the dry ingredients and butter over medium speed in the stand mixer with the paddle attachment until everything is thoroughly combined.Add the egg and vanilla into the mixture, and beat until combined.
- Making the cookies: Put the cookie dough in a piping bag with a medium, open star tip.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Form 1 Ā½-inch diameter rings with the pastry bag on the prepared baking sheet. You can make other shapes by experimenting with another piping tip.Place it in the refrigerator until the oven is heated at 350Ā°F [175 Ā°C].
- Baking:Ā Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until light golden brown.Remove from oven and place on a wire rack until they cool to room temperature. When they reach room temperature, place them in an airtight container and store them.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great recipes from me every week!
By Tia Clara
, published Dec 23, 2011 on
Sandra Gomez
Is it 4 cups of flour?
Tia Clara
It's just 2 cups. š
Dami
I made these and I loved them, better than the ones from a can. Thanks.
Mari
The cookies look delicious and crisp! Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
Hugs