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These delicate Schneeflocken Plätzchen create tender cookies without any eggs. For me, these fork-patterned cookies are a must during the Christmas season because they are super easy and quick to bake and simply melt in your mouth.
I first made these cookies one year when I wanted an egg-free recipe for holiday baking. They turned out so soft and pretty that I now bake them every Christmas, and everyone asks for seconds.
Ingredients
- Flour: the base for structure use all-purpose flour for the best texture
- Cornstarch: adds tenderness and a melt-in-your-mouth feel key to the light crumb
- Powdered sugar: provides sweetness and smooth texture sift for best results
- Vanilla sugar: adds warm aroma if unavailable vanilla extract can be substituted
- Butter: cold for easier dough handling and a better crumb choose good quality unsalted butter or a vegan alternative (avoid soft margarines to keep dough from becoming too soft)
- Salt: just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor
Instructions
- Scoop and Mix:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Use cold butter cut into small pieces to make mixing easier and get a smooth dough. Knead gently by hand or with a mixer until just combined into a smooth ball.
- Chill the Dough:
- Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator. Let it rest for about 30 minutes if you used cold butter. If your butter was softer or room temperature, extend chilling to one hour. This step firms the dough and makes it easier to handle.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Weigh out roughly 10 gram portions and roll each into a small ball. Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure the baking tray is cool before placing the dough balls on it to prevent spreading.
- Create the Pattern:
- Using a fork, press down gently on each dough ball, flattening it and creating the signature fork pattern on top. This not only decorates the cookies but also helps them bake evenly.
- Bake with Care:
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius using top and bottom heat. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, checking that they stay pale and do not brown. This ensures the right tender crumb without drying out.
- Cool and Decorate:
- Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool completely on the tray before transferring. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy finish, if desired.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how the fork pattern on top transforms simple dough into a beautiful treat. It reminds me of baking with my grandma during the holidays, making batches together while sharing stories.
Storage Tips
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight tin or container at room temperature to keep them crisp. They stay fresh for about one week but can also be frozen for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving. For best texture, avoid storing them with moist items that could soften the cookies.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can swap the butter for a vegan butter alternative to make these cookies vegan friendly but avoid soft margarine as it can make the dough too soft. Vanilla extract works well if you don’t have vanilla sugar on hand just add a teaspoon instead. Cornstarch can sometimes be replaced with tapioca starch for a slightly different but still tender result.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee during cozy winter afternoons. Dusting with powdered sugar adds a festive touch that looks like fresh snow and they pair wonderfully alongside other Christmas cookies on a holiday platter balancing richer spiced varieties with their light crispness.
Enjoy these tender, egg-free Schneeflocken Plätzchen with a cup of tea or coffee. They make a lovely addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Common Questions About the Recipe
- → Welche Zutaten sind für die Schneeflocken Plätzchen nötig?
Für diese Plätzchen brauchst du Mehl, Speisestärke, Butter, Puderzucker, Vanillezucker und eine Prise Salz.
- → Warum wird Speisestärke in den Teig gegeben?
Die Speisestärke sorgt für eine besonders zarte und mürbe Textur der Plätzchen.
- → Wie entsteht das typische Muster auf den Plätzchen?
Durch leichtes Andrücken der Teigkugeln mit einer Gabel entsteht das charakteristische Gabelmuster.
- → Kann die Butter durch eine vegane Alternative ersetzt werden?
Ja, eine vegane Butteralternative ist möglich, sollte aber keine Margarine sein, um die richtige Konsistenz zu behalten.
- → Wie lange werden die Plätzchen gebacken?
Die Plätzchen werden bei 160°C Ober-/Unterhitze für etwa 10 bis 12 Minuten gebacken, bis sie hell bleiben.