Pryaniki – Russian Honey Spice Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Pryaniki are traditional Russian honey spice cookies, known for their warm, aromatic flavors and tender texture. These delightful treats are glazed with a sweet icing that adds a lovely finish. Perfect for cozy afternoons or festive occasions, Pryaniki bring a comforting taste of Russia to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup instant coffee
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon anise (ground or liquid extract)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, dissolve the instant coffee in the hot water.
2. Step 2: Add butter, sugar, and honey to the coffee mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, forming a uniform mixture. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl; let cool for 10-15 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the vanilla extract, allspice, nutmeg, and anise. Feel free to add other spices like cinnamon or cardamom for extra flavor.
4. Step 4: Whisk in the eggs, dissolved baking soda, and baking powder. The mixture will fizz slightly as it combines.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour, stirring with a large wooden spoon until a dough forms and all flour is incorporated.
6. Step 6: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and leave at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight to rest.
7. Step 7: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Shape the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls. Place them on the baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for expansion.
9. Step 9: Bake for 20-25 minutes until set but not overbaked, to avoid hard cookies.
10. Step 10: While baking, whisk powdered sugar and milk in a large bowl to create a glaze. Add flavor extracts, such as vanilla or almond, if desired.
11. Step 11: Dip cooled cookies into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Place on a rack or parchment to dry. Once the glaze is dry, flip and glaze the other side. Work quickly as the glaze hardens; add a little milk to thin if needed.
12. Step 12: Store the glazed cookies in a sealed container at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer spice profile, try adding cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, or even a hint of mint extract.
• Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
• If the glaze thickens during decorating, add a splash of milk to restore its consistency.
• Letting the dough rest overnight enhances flavor and texture.

Storage

Store the Pryaniki in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The glaze helps keep them moist and fresh. For best taste, re-glaze any cookies that dry out. These cookies can be enjoyed as is, no reheating needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Pryaniki without instant coffee?

The coffee adds depth to the flavor but can be omitted or replaced with an equal amount of hot water if you prefer a milder taste.

How long should I rest the dough?

Resting the dough for at least 4 hours or overnight at room temperature improves the flavor and texture, making the cookies tender and aromatic.

Pryaniki – Russian Honey Spice Cookies Recipe

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Pryaniki are traditional Russian honey spice cookies known for their soft texture and delightful blend of warm spices. These aromatic cookies are infused with coffee and honey, giving them a unique flavor and a tender crumb. Glazed with a simple powdered sugar milk icing, they make a perfect treat for holidays or any cozy occasion.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 40 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Russian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Spiced Coffee-Honey Mixture

• 1/2 cup instant coffee
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon anise (ground or liquid extract)

Cookie Dough

• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 cups all-purpose flour

Glaze

• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Dissolve the coffee: In a medium saucepan, dissolve the instant coffee in hot water, stirring until fully combined.
2. Prepare the honey butter mixture: Add butter, granulated sugar, and honey to the coffee mixture. Heat on medium, stirring frequently until butter melts and sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl to cool for 10-15 minutes.
3. Add spices: Stir in vanilla extract, allspice, grated nutmeg, and anise. Feel free to add additional spices like cinnamon or cardamom if desired.
4. Incorporate leavening and eggs: Whisk in the eggs, then add baking soda dissolved in vinegar and baking powder. The mixture will fizz slightly, indicating the leavening is active.
5. Add flour: Gradually add all-purpose flour and stir with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated into a smooth dough.
6. Rest the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and leave it at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight to develop flavor and texture.
7. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Shape cookies: Using a 1 tablespoon scoop, form dough balls and roll them in your hands for uniform shape and size. Place them spaced apart on the baking sheet.
9. Bake: Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender.
10. Prepare glaze: While cookies bake and cool, whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a large bowl until smooth. Optionally add extracts like vanilla or almond to flavor the glaze.
11. Glaze cookies: Dip cooled cookies into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Set on parchment paper or a wire rack to dry. Once dry, flip cookies and glaze the other side quickly before the glaze hardens. Thin the glaze with a little milk if it becomes too thick.
12. Store: Keep glazed Pryaniki in a sealed container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for several days.

Notes

• The dough resting step is important for flavor development and softer texture.
• Do not overbake the cookies—baking too long will make them hard.
• You can customize the spice mix to your liking with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or cloves.
• The glaze should be applied quickly before it thickens to ensure an even coating.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their moistness.

Keywords: Pryaniki, Russian cookies, honey spice cookies, honey cookies, spiced cookies, traditional Russian dessert, glazed cookies