Kris Kringles are a traditional, spiced cookie, perfect for holiday gatherings. This recipe passed down from Jody Streng, includes warm spices like cinnamon and cloves that fill the kitchen with a festive aroma while baking. With a tender crumb from evaporated milk and a nutty crunch from chopped nuts, these cookies are ideal for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season.
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Kris Kringles
Food History
Spiced cookies, like these Kris Kringles, have a long history in holiday traditions around the world. Similar to gingerbread or spice cookies, they often feature a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and sometimes nutmeg. These types of cookies have European roots, especially in Germany, where holiday baking focuses heavily on spiced treats, often served around Christmas.
Cookies incorporating spices became popular in America as baking methods evolved and spices became more accessible. The use of brown sugar in this recipe provides a rich, molasses-like sweetness that balances the warmth of the spices, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and festive.
Timeline
- Middle Ages (Europe): Spices like cinnamon and cloves became common in baking, and gingerbread was one of the earliest spiced cookies.
- 19th Century (America): As sugar became more affordable, brown sugar became a popular ingredient in cookies, adding depth to the sweetness.
- 20th Century: Recipes like Kris Kringles become a staple in American holiday baking, often passed down through families and shared during festive gatherings.
Recipe Discussion
The Kris Kringles recipe is a classic blend of rich flavors and textures. The shortening and brown sugar create a tender, chewy cookie, while the addition of cream (or evaporated milk) gives a subtle richness. Cinnamon and cloves add warmth, making the cookies perfect for the winter season.
The nuts provide a contrasting texture and flavor, adding a bit of crunch to each bite. The dough needs to be chilled overnight, making it easier to handle and allowing the flavors to meld, resulting in a more flavorful cookie once baked.
This recipe stands out because it balances sweet and spicy with just the right amount of nuts for texture. It’s an excellent cookie for those who enjoy a less sugary, more spice-forward treat during the holidays.
Preparation Tips
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough overnight is essential as it helps the flavors develop and makes the dough easier to handle. If you skip this step, the cookies might spread too much during baking.
- Even Baking: Use a cookie scoop to form uniform dough balls to ensure even baking. This will help your cookies bake at the same rate and give them a consistent shape.
- Adding the Nuts: You can customize the nuts according to your preference. Pecans or walnuts work well, but you can also experiment with other varieties, like almonds or hazelnuts, for different flavor profiles.
Recommended Kitchen Items
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- Cookie Sheets: A good-quality cookie sheet ensures even baking and prevents the cookies from burning on the bottom.
- Silicone Baking Mats: These mats provide a non-stick surface for your cookies and help with even browning without extra grease.
- Cooling Racks: A cooling rack helps the cookies cool evenly, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
Serving Suggestions
- With Coffee or Hot Cocoa: For a cozy winter treat, serve these warm, spiced cookies with a hot beverage like coffee, tea, or cocoa.
- Holiday Cookie Tray: For a festive spread, add these to a holiday cookie tray along with sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or peppermint bark.
- Decorate with Icing: For an extra festive touch, drizzle the cookies with light vanilla icing or dust them with powdered sugar.
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A Holiday Cookie Tradition
Kris Kringles are the perfect addition to your holiday baking routine. Their warm spice blend, rich brown sugar base, and crunchy nuts make them a standout cookie for Christmas gatherings or winter celebrations. Chilling the dough overnight deepens the flavors, ensuring that every bite is flavorful and tender. Serve them with hot drinks, share them with loved ones, or add them to your holiday cookie trays—these cookies are versatile and always a hit.
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Kris Kringles Recipe
Kris Kringles
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup cream (evaporated milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
- 1 teaspoon cloves, ground
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
Instructions
- Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs
- Add vanilla and milk
- Sift dry ingredients together
- Mix together
- Add nuts
- Pack in bowl and cover
- Chill overnight
- Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes