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Braune Zucker Platzchen (Brown Sugar Cookies)

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Submitted by Muffet

Braune Zucker Platzchen, traditional German brown sugar cookies with cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, raisins, and nuts. Spiced drop cookies that store well in airtight tins.

YIELD

3 dozen

PREP

15 min

COOK

10 min

READY

25 min

These German spice cookies (Platzchen) are built on a base of firmly packed brown sugar creamed with shortening until light and fluffy. Cinnamon and ground cloves give them that warm, aromatic bite, while grated orange zest adds a bright citrus note that cuts through the deep molasses sweetness of the brown sugar.

Raisins and chopped nuts go in at the end for chewy and crunchy texture in every bite. These are drop cookies, not rolled, so there’s no chilling or shaping involved. Just scoop by the teaspoon onto greased sheets and bake.

The German baking tradition of storing cookies in airtight tins isn’t just for keeping. These actually improve over a few days as the spices mellow and the cookies soften slightly. Bake them a day or two before you need them.

Kitchen Tips

  • Cream the sugar and shortening thoroughly. “Light and fluffy” means several minutes of beating, not a quick stir.
  • Grate the orange zest on a fine rasp. You want the colorful outer layer only, not the bitter white pith underneath.
  • Watch them carefully at the 10-minute mark. Brown sugar cookies brown quickly and the window between done and overdone is small.

Variations

  • Replace cloves with a pinch of cardamom for a Scandinavian-influenced twist.
  • Use dried cranberries instead of raisins for a tart, colorful swap.
  • Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the flour mixture for chocolate-spice cookies.

Ingredients

1 ½ 355
CUPS ML BROWN SUGAR
frimly packed *
158
2 2
LARGE LARGE EGGS
2 30
TABLESPOONS ML MILK
1 15
TABLESPOON ML ORANGE ZEST
grated
2 10
TEASPOONS ML BAKING POWDER
1 5
TEASPOON ML CINNAMON
½ 2.5
TEASPOON ML CLOVES
ground
¼ 1.3
TEASPOON ML SALT
1 237
½ 118
CUP ML NUTS
chopped

Directions

Cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, milk and orange rind.

Stir togethr baking powder, spices, salt and flour.

Mix into sugar mixture.

Stir in raisins and nuts, if used. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350℉ (180℃). about 10 to 12 minutes, or until done.

Remove from baking sheets and cool cookies on rack.

Store in airtight tins.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 152g (5.4 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 480 23% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g 19%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 106mg 35%
Sodium 194mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 28%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars g
Protein 28g
Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 6%
Calcium 12% Iron 28%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Trans-fat Free, High Fiber
 

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