German Butter Cookies

I chose this particular recipe because it's really quick. The biscuits have beautiful color and texture. Also, you can improvise here, as I did with the beet dye (see the explanation in step 15). They can also be made with cocoa or turmeric - that will be brown or yellow.

Ingredients
Butter
125 g
82% fat - soft, at room temperature
Powdered sugar
40 g
Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp
+ any natural dye you like - about 1 teaspoon - if you want them in different colors
White flour
150 g
Corn starch
50 g
Step by step
Step 1

In a bowl, combine the softened butter with powdered sugar and vanilla.

It was now when I added the beet coloring prepared in step 15. You can add 1 teaspoon of cocoa, 0.5 teaspoon of turmeric or any coloring you like and have.

German Butter Cookies - Step 1
Step 2

Beat well with the mixer.

German Butter Cookies - Step 2
Step 3

Add flour and starch. Knead the dough with your hands.

German Butter Cookies - Step 3
Step 4

The dough is soft and may seem a bit sticky at first, but after kneading it will resemble plasticine in texture.

Shape into a ball and place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes, wrapped in cling.

German Butter Cookies - Step 4
Step 5

Here are the two pieces of dough, pink and white.

German Butter Cookies - Step 5
Step 6

It feels nice to work this dough. Roll into a long stick, then cut into pieces, about the size of a small walnut.

German Butter Cookies - Step 6
Step 7

Shape into balls and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment.

You can make patterns with a fork. We created cross patterns.

German Butter Cookies - Step 7
Step 8

Then I used the points of the fork to create patterns on the the edges.

I wanted to make the cookies look like 'Mărțișoare'.

German Butter Cookies - Step 8
Step 9

It's enough if you press a fork only once in the middle. This is what the original German butter cookies look like.

German Butter Cookies - Step 9
Step 10

We sprinkled with a little sugar on top to garnish.

German Butter Cookies - Step 10
Step 11

Here is the pink version, ready for baking.

German Butter Cookies - Step 11
Step 12

Bake for 10-15 minutes at 160 degrees C and keep an eye on them all the time. The biscuits shouldn't brown too much, just a bit underneath. They are white and beautiful on top.

German Butter Cookies - Step 12
Step 13

Allow to cool completely before serving.

German Butter Cookies - Step 13
Step 14

To make 'Mărțișoare', I bought plastic wrap and ribbon from the florist.

I cut squares with a side of 15 cm. I made bags with biscuits in the middle and I tied with bows.

German Butter Cookies - Step 14
Step 15

How to make beetroot coloring: I made beet juice in the juicer.

I boiled the juice in a saucepan until it reduced by half, to make it more concentrated. I poured into a small jar and stored in the fridge. Don't keep it for more than one week.

Enjoy!

German Butter Cookies - Step 15
Quantity: 30 pcs ()
Prep time:
30 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 30 min