Christmas cookies youlutortu
11 servings
85 minutes
Joulutorttu is a traditional Finnish Christmas pastry that embodies the cozy atmosphere of winter holidays. Its star-shaped design symbolizes festive whirl and joy. The dough is a delicate blend of butter and ricotta, giving the pastry softness and airiness. The center is adorned with aromatic jam, usually plum, but other fruit variations can be used as well. Baked to a golden crust, joulutorttu becomes crispy on the edges and melts inside. They are served lightly dusted with powdered sugar, complemented by a cup of hot coffee or tea. These pastries not only delight in taste but also create a sense of warm Christmas fairy tale, filling the home with aromas of childhood and celebration.
1
Mix softened butter with ricotta and salt. Add flour and mix.
- Butter: 230 g
- Ricotta cheese: 230 g
- Salt: 3 g
- Wheat flour: 250 g
2
Divide the dough into three parts, roll each part into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and leave in the refrigerator for 2 hours or up to overnight.
3
Generously sprinkle the table with flour, coat the ball in flour on all sides and roll it out into a rectangular sheet measuring 35x28 cm, about 3 mm thick, cut off the excess and set it aside, then repeat.
- Wheat flour: 250 g
4
Cut the dough into squares with a side of 7 cm. Make cuts from the corners to the center of each square, stopping just 1 cm short of the middle. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the stars on it.
5
Place 1/2 teaspoon of jam in the center of each square and fold the corners of the dough to the center to form a star-spinner. Brush with beaten egg and bake in a preheated oven at 220 degrees for about 8 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let cool, dusting with powdered sugar.
- Jam: 350 g
- Chicken egg: 1 piece
- Powdered sugar: 30 g