How To Make Gingerbread Cookies in Poland 🍪🇵🇱
If there's one treat that embodies the warmth and magic of the holiday season in Poland, it's gingerbread cookies. Known as "pierniczki," these spiced delights have been a part of Polish traditions for generations. I recently stumbled upon this incredible recipe on Instagram, and I cannot wait to try it for myself!
This version is packed with rich honey, warm spices, and a unique twist—plum jam and a creamy sour cream glaze. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and spiced flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to a festive Polish kitchen. 🎄✨
Polish Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter
- ½ cup honey (linden or multifloral)
- 1½ teaspoons gingerbread spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons sour cream (18%)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons plum jam
For the Icing:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Sour Cream Mixture
- Mix the sour cream with baking soda and set aside.
- Melt Butter and Honey
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter, half the sugar, and honey over low heat. Stir until smooth, then let cool.
- Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, whole egg, and remaining sugar. Add the cooled butter mixture and the sour cream mixture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, gingerbread spice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough
- Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with cling film, and refrigerate overnight to enhance the flavors.
- Roll and Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (180°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create shapes. Spread a thin layer of plum jam on one cookie and place another on top to make a sandwich.
- Bake
- Arrange the sandwiched cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8–9 minutes or until set.
- Make the Icing
- Mix the icing sugar with sour cream until smooth.
- Glaze the Cookies
- Once the cookies have cooled, glaze the tops with the sour cream icing and let it set.
I can already imagine the sweet aroma of honey and spices filling my kitchen as these bake! These cookies are not just a treat—they’re a taste of Polish tradition that you can share with your loved ones.
Have you tried making Polish gingerbread cookies before? Let me know in the comments if you give this recipe a go! 🎅🍪
Happy baking! 🎄❤️
