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    Home » Recipes » German Christmas Cookies

    Butter-S - German Christmas Cookies

    Published: Dec 13, 2021 · Modified: Mar 8, 2022 by Angela Schofield · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Butter-S cookies are a Swabian specialty from the south of Germany. The Swabian treat is a true classic of the traditional Christmas cuisine. The delicious cookies are made from a fine shortbread dough flavored with lemon zest.

    As simple as they appear, the Butter-S taste wonderful. Egg yolks and lots of butter give the pastries a irresistible flavor.

    A Traditional Holiday Cookie in Swabia

    Butter-S or Butter-Sle how they are called in Swabia have a long tradition but it is not known why they are shaped into a "S" shape. The reason is probably very simple as the "S" has a nice swing to it. But if you know the real reason, please let me know in the comments.

    Ingredients

    Butter

    Butter is the key ingredient for these cookies. For this recipe you should really don´t use margarine or vegan butter.

    Flour

    The cookies are usually made with all-purpose flour but spelt flour works also well.

    Hagelzucker

    Hagelzucker in English called nip or pearl sugar is coarse white sugar that is used in European baking. You can find the coarse sugar in your local German or Russian shop and most of the times even at Ikea.

    Alternatively, you can decorate the cookies with edible glitter or sprinkles instead of coarse sugar. They are also wonderful if you do not sprinkle them with sugar, but dip them half in chocolate.

    Authentic Swabian Butter S Recipe

    Following the old tradition, they are shaped individually by hand and rolled in coarse sugar. I have chosen the slightly less sweet version in this recipe and sprinkled the coarse sugar only on the cookies.

    Recipe

    Butter S German Christmas Cookies

    Butter-S German Christmas Cookie Speciality

    Angela Schofield
    Soft & tender buttery Christmas cookie speciality from the South of Germany.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 19 mins
    Total Time 34 mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine German
    Servings 30
    Calories 76 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 stick butter
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 3 egg yolks
    • ½ tbsp. lemon peel
    • 1 egg white
    • ½ cup coarse sugar Hagelzucker

    Instructions
     

    • Add flour to the working space and form a well in the middle.
    • Add sugar, egg yolks and lemon peel to the well.
    • Knead the dough just until all ingredients combine. Make sure to don´t over-knead the dough.
    • Cover and place into the fridge for about 1.5 hours.
    • Roll the dough to a roll with about ½-inch diameter.
    • Cut into 3-inch-long ropes and shape to an "S" and place onto a with parchment lined baking sheet.
    • Whisk the egg white with a fork and then brush the cookies with it and sprinkle with nip/peal sugar.
    • Bake at 350F in a pre-heated oven for about 10 min.

    Notes

    Store in a cookie tin or airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1PortionCalories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSugar: 5g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Angela framed by German landscape

    Guten Tag, I'm Angela,
    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

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