Pennsylvania Dutch Cookies Kiffels Recipes

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COOKIES KIFFELS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, egg yolks and flour; beat until smooth.
• Shape into 1-inch balls; place in a container with waxed paper separating each layer.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• FOR THE FILLING, combine walnuts and 3 3/4 cups sugar (the mixture will be dry).
• In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into nut mixture.
• Add extracts and a few drops of water if necessary until filling reaches a spreading consistency.
• Place remaining sugar in a bowl; roll cream cheese balls in sugar until completely covered.
• Place a few balls at a time between two sheets of waxed paper.
• Roll balls into 2 1/2-inch circles.
• Gently spread about 2 teaspoons of filling over each.
• Roll up; place seam side down on ungreased baking sheets.
• Curve the ends slightly.
• Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool on wire racks.
• Yield: about 8 dozen.

KIFFLES

Steps:

• Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Mix in flour. This is a pretty thick dough. Cut into 8 balls of equal size. Cover and chill until firm - 4 hours or overnight. (Note: this dough must be worked quickly and while cold. A chilled counter surface and/or rolling pin help considerably. If dough becomes to warm to work with, simply cover & re-chill.) Roll out each ball very thin (about 1/8 an inch) in a liberal amount of confectioner's sugar. Cut as you would a pizza into 8 equal-sized wedges. Place a large pinch of filling of your choice on the wide end of each wedge. Roll up, folding in the sides until the filling is sealed in completely. Be sure to place each cookie with the point side down, and press gently onto ungreased cookie sheet, otherwise they will unfurl while baking. Bake at 350º until golden brown (watch closely), about 9 minutes.