As December descends upon Germany, a magical transformation occurs, filling the air with the sweet scents of baked treats and the warmth of festive sharing. The spirit of Christmas envelops the atmosphere, inviting everyone to indulge in the joy of baking cookies—a tradition that seems to suspend time in a delightful blend of flavors and memories.
The Cookie Dilemma
Baking cookies might seem easy for many, but I have often found myself daunted by the process. The most challenging part for me is using cookie cutters to shape the dough. With its high butter content, the cookie dough, despite being chilled, quickly warms and softens, becoming difficult to manage. The dough clings stubbornly to the cutters, often resulting in a messy and frustrating endeavor that leaves me throwing my hands up in despair and discarding the mixture.
However, the thought of not indulging in cookie-making during December feels akin to celebrating the Lunar New Year without handing out red envelopes—a significant piece of joy is simply missing. Thankfully, my mother-in-law introduced me to a miraculous recipe that requires no fancy gadgets or molds.
The Delight of Simplicity: Butterwölkchen
Imagine, a cookie so delectable yet astonishingly simple to prepare that you can create it in just ten minutes with your hands! This cookie, affectionately named Butterwölkchen, translates to “Butter Clouds,” and is a heavenly treat. With a crispy exterior that gives way to a melt-in-your-mouth texture, each bite releases a cascade of sweet, buttery goodness that captivates the palate—truly addictive!
In the week leading up to the Christmas holiday, I found myself baking trays of these delightful cookies daily to share with friends and colleagues. The joyous feeling of experiencing cookie freedom in December is something I cherish deeply.
Ingredient Essentials
The ingredients are delightfully uncomplicated, which makes this recipe even more appealing. A few notes are worth mentioning, which will also be included in the tips section following the recipe:
- Flour: No need for anything special—any standard all-purpose flour will do.
- Almond Flour: Adding almond flour along with a hint of almond extract infuses the cookies with a delightful almond flavor.
- Vanilla Substitute: If almond flour is unavailable, it can be substituted with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, complemented by a touch of vanilla sugar for a sweet, pure vanilla essence.
- Pudding Powder Alternative: If you lack vanilla pudding powder, replace it with the same amount of cornstarch. Since pudding powder primarily consists of cornstarch mixed with flavorings and colorings, using cornstarch will still yield a beautifully crispy cookie. Adding a dash of vanilla paste will enhance the flavor if you choose this option.
- Extract Usage: I use sugar-free vanilla pudding powder; if yours contains sugar, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe accordingly. Likewise, when adding flavor extracts, a few drops suffice; if unavailable, the cookies retain their pure and sweet sugar flavor.
Ingredients List
- All-purpose flour: 270 grams (See note 1)
- Almond flour: 50 grams (See note 2)
- Butter: 250 grams
- Sugar-free vanilla pudding powder: 1 packet (37 grams) (See note 3)
- Powdered sugar: 70 grams
- Vanilla sugar: 16 grams (See note 4)
- Baking powder: 4 grams
- Vanilla extract (optional): a few drops (See note 5)
- Almond extract (optional): a few drops
Butterwölkchen: A 10-Minute, No-Cutter Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
For the first version of the recipe, I used 50 grams of almond flour. Combine all dry ingredients except the butter and extracts in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Combine with Butter
Next, add the softened butter at room temperature and a few drops of flavor extract. If using almond flour, incorporate almond extract for a fragrant almond flavor; if using only all-purpose flour, add vanilla extract for a sweet vanilla note.
Step 3: Achieving the Perfect Dough
Using your hands, mix the ingredients until there are no dry remnants left, and then knead the dough. The final texture should be delicate, moist, and slightly oily without being overly sticky.
Step 4: Prepping for Baking
Once the dough is ready, it’s time to preheat your oven to 150°C (302°F) with the fan function or 170°C (338°F) with top and bottom heat.
Step 5: Shaping the Cookies
Take small portions of dough and roll them into small balls. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring there is approximately a two-centimeter gap between each ball.
Step 6: Family Fun
If you have little ones at home, invite them to join in the cookie-making fun!
Step 7: Baking Time
For a yield of approximately 85 to 90 cookies when rolled to the size of large cherries, bake in the preheated oven on the lower shelf for 15–20 minutes. Adjust the time based on the size of the dough balls—larger ones will take longer. As they bake, the butter melts, and the surface gleams with a beautiful sheen.
Step 8: Cooling Down
Once baked, let the cookies cool on a wire rack.
Step 9: Final Touch
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar. The moment you take a bite, the cookie crumbles and melts in your mouth, releasing a wave of sweet flavor—truly irresistible!
In conclusion, this simple yet elegant Butterwölkchen recipe embodies the spirit of Christmas baking—sweet, satisfying, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.