The History of Danish Wedding Cookies
Danish wedding cookies are a famous confectionery that goes by many names, including Mexican wedding cookies, Russian teacakes, snowdrops and pecan butterballs. Still, their true origins are yet to be discovered. Despite the name, the shortbreadlike treat is not of Danish descent, although Scandinavian cookbooks list similar cookie recipes. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Cookie
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A Danish wedding cookie is a buttery, nutty cookie rolled in powdered sugar, sometimes containing cinnamon or vanilla. Thicker in consistency and richer in taste than a sugar cookie, the treat is traditionally enjoyed at weddings. Contrary to popular confectionery belief, the Danish wedding cookie isn't actually Danish. Numerous cultures around the world, including those in Eastern and Western Europe, bake similar recipes with the same basic ingredients and preparation method.
Cookie History
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According to Foodtimeline.org, the basic recipe for this sweet, nutty cookie has Arabic origins, dating back to medieval times. Century-old Middle Eastern nutty spiced dessert foods were adopted in Europe, where people in various cultures tweaked the recipes to suite their tastes and available ingredients.
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Tradition
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American Profile.com notes that, in the past, couples celebrating their nuptials received Danish wedding cookies as good luck symbols. The marriage of the walnuts and sugar represented "bumps in the road" and the "sweetness that coats a happy marriage."
The Recipe
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For those who would like to try their hand at home baking, AmericanProfile.com lists this recipe for Danish wedding cookies.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Confectioners' sugar for coating
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and butter in a large bowl. Add cream cheese and increase mixer speed to high to beat the mixture until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and gently pour in flour and walnuts, stirring until blended.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for about 14 to 18 minutes, until lightly browned and puffy. Allow cookies to cool briefly and while still warm, roll them in confectioners' sugar.
Universal Treat
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While most Danes are unsure of how this cookie became the Danish wedding cookie, one thing is certain: no matter the name, they are still served at weddings. In time they became a universal treat enjoyed during Christmas or other celebrations, served with tea or on a dessert platter. Some bakers dip one half in rich dark chocolate.
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References
- Photo Credit cookies image by Nini from Fotolia.com
