Saturday, December 13, 2025

Orange Zest Springerle Cookies

 Makes about 3-6  dozen cookies based upon the size mold used.

  • 1/½ tsp. baker’s ammonia or baking powder NOTE: IF USING AMMONIA, DO NOT EAT THE DOUGH UNTIL COOKED!
  • 1 Tbsp. milk
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 6 cups confectioner’s sugar (1-1/2#)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. orange oil – NOT extract
  • 2 lb. box sifted cake flour (Swans Down or Softasilk)
  • Zest rind of 1 orange -do not omit *
  • More flour as needed

  1. Dissolve the Baker’s ammonia in a glass cup with milk and set aside (if using baking powder, do the same). The reason for using the Baker’s ammonia is that it creates a light, raised cookie that shows the mold imagery better.
  2. Beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored (10-20 minutes).  
  3. Slowly beat in the confectioner’s sugar, then the softened butter. 
  4. Add the baker’s ammonia and milk, salt, orange flavoring, and orange zest.
  5.  Gradually beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer, then stir in the remainder of the flour, a cup at a time.  

(You may use MORE or LESS flour to make a stiff dough, depending on humidity.) Turn onto a floured surface and knead in enough flour to make a good print without sticking.  If the dough sticks to your hands, you need more flour. This makes a fairly dry dough. 

Think Play-Doh consistency.

PRINTING THE COOKIES:

  1. Roll the dough approximately 3/8” thick. 
  2. Lightly brush mold with flour, then imprint with your mold, cut out shape, and move cookie to parchment-lined cookie sheet. 
  3. Dry cookies 12-24 hours, depending on your schedule and weather humidity.

TO BAKE:

Test bake one cookie first! It saves grief! 

Bake on parchment-lined cookie sheets at 250 - 300° F until barely golden on the bottom, 12-18 minutes or more, depending on the size of the cookie.

IF YOU GET BUBBLES!

Flat areas of larger cookies are vulnerable to “bubbles” while baking.  

Simply press them down manually and finish baking. 

Or press down bubbles when you remove cookies from the oven at the end of baking time.  

STORAGE:

Store cookies in plastic bags or airtight containers. 

May store containers in the freezer. 

Frozen cookies will keep for months.

*Optional: use your own favorite flavoring oil and omit zest.


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