Ukrainian Baba Marys Halvah Cookies Recipes

KOLATKI/KOLACKI (UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES VIA CZECHOSLOVAKIA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cream together butter, cream cheese, sugar, egg yolks and lemon zest.
• Stir in flour, creating stiff dough.
• Mold dough into hamburger-size patties and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
• Roll patty out 1/8-1/4 inch thick, preferably on chilled marble or glass cutting board.
• Cut dough into 2 1/2 inch squares.
• Place squares on cookie sheet (ungreased is OK).
• In each square, dab about 1/3 teaspoon pastry filling.
• Fold one corner halfway over pastry so that it points to opposite corner.
• With pastry brush, dab egg white onto folded corner.
• Fold opposite corner onto folded corner.
• Press lightly to fix with egg white.
• Optional: Brush egg white over top of cookie and dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes or until edges are slightly brown.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS HONEY COOKIES MEDIANYKY

Steps:

• Sift together flour, spices, powdered sugar, and baking powder. Note: powdered sugar sometimes called icing sugar, confectioners' sugar or XXX sugar, all the same thing.
• Add eggs, honey, and orange peel to make a stiff dough.
• On a floured work surface, roll out dough about 1/2 inch thick.
• Cut shapes with cookie cutter, place on nonstick baking sheet, and brush with glaze.
• Place 1/2 almond in the middle of each, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake in preheated 350 degrees oven until done, about 15 minutes.
• Cool on racks.
• Store in tightly covered tins.

UKRAINIAN GRANDMA'S MEDIVNYCHKY (HONEY COOKIES WITH NO FAT, EGGS

Steps:

• Bring the honey to a boil and keep it hot.
• Sift the rye and white flour into a frying pan. Heat the flour over a low heat, stirring constantly, until hot. Do not scorch. Mix in the baking soda.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the HOT, not warm, honey, and quickly stir in the hot flour. Beat vigorously until very thick. For easier handling, remove the dough to a greased bowl. Shape the dough into small balls the size of a small walnut and place them well apart on a greased baking sheet. Flatten them down with the bottom of a tumbler wrapped in a dampened cloth.
• Bake in a moderate oven 325°F for about 15 minutes, or until GOLDEN but NOT brown.

UKRAINIAN BABA MARY'S HALVAH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix eggs and oil.
• Incorporate halvah using a hand mixer.
• Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and flour to make a workable dough.
• Add extra flour if necessary.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Oil hands, roll spoon sized pieces of dough into small balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cool completely before eating, at least 30 minutes.
• Makes 3 dozen.
• The Great Canadian Feast.