Yugoslavian Christmas Cookies Are A Unique Christmas Cookie Made Up Of Layers Of Crunchy Nuts, A Meringue Topping, Blackberry Jelly On A Shortbread Crust!
This is an unusual and incredibly sublime cookie. I had these for the first time over ten years ago at a neighborhood Christmas cookie swap. When I took my first bite, I remember, I almost swooned! I loved that they were so unique and unusual.
The crunchy nut and meringue topping over the berry shortbread crust was divine. But there was something else…. another flavor mixed in that was just wonderful. Something very familiar that alluded me.
I discovered a bit later what it was when my sweet neighbor Linnell gave me the recipe. It was the clean, crisp addition of lemon extract. That little addition took these cookies from delicious to, in my ever so almost humble opinion, to absolutely sublime. I hope you give these a try. They’re great all year round, btw!
Yugoslavian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 Pound Unsalted Butter at Room Temperature
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Egg Yolk Large
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt Salt
- 2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 4 Large Egg Whites
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 3/4 Cup Ground Walnuts
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Extract
- 1 Cup Blackberry Jelly
- 1/4 Cup Walnuts Chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream butter and sugar together thoroughly; add egg yolk and salt and combine. Add flour and combine. Pat mixture into a 9X13 inch pan.
- Beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually add 1 cup sugar. Continue to beat until you reach a meringue consistency. Gently fold in ground walnuts and lemon extract.
- Spread jelly over dough mixture in pan.
- Swirl meringue over jelly. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Bake for about 40 minutes. To cut, use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion.
Nutrition
I love trying recipes from other countries. Especially Holiday recipes. Another one of my favorite International holiday cookie recipes is one I make every year, my Italian Christmas Cookies. Here’s a link for some more Christmas cookies from around the world that might tickle your fancy! Let me know if you try any of them! ♥
Gardening Angel says
December 23, 2018 at 2:49 pmI will make these again but will be certain the jelly has been strained to remove all berry seeds. I used Kerrygold butter for the shortbread and, while delicious, the cookies are prone to crumbling.
Kathleen says
December 23, 2018 at 8:13 pmHi, you are right about the meringue is prone to crumbling! I use a serrated knife and gently cut them. Great idea to stain the jam. <3
Karen Dushack says
December 16, 2018 at 6:33 pmWhat is the best way to store these?? Can they be frozen short term??
Kathleen says
January 13, 2019 at 3:33 amHi Karen. Yes, they can be frozen. I freeze them in a hard container to protect them because they are fragile. I store them in an airtight container at room temp generally. <3
Thom Kondas says
December 15, 2018 at 6:30 pmCan I freeze these for later?
Kathleen says
January 13, 2019 at 3:33 amHi Thom. Yes, they can be frozen. 🙂
Marlene says
November 11, 2014 at 12:24 amI’m Croation & Slav & I will have to make these cookies along with Potica & all other ethnic dishes. They sound yummy!
Kathleen says
November 11, 2014 at 3:50 amHey Marlene! I Love these so much! Hope you do as well!
Lisa says
December 15, 2018 at 5:29 pmHi.. post is pretty old but these are very similar to my country New Zealand and called Louise Cake.. might give them a go
Kathleen says
December 17, 2018 at 12:26 amHi, Lisa! Yum, Louise Cake and this cake really looks the same! I hope you enjoy making it! 🙂
Margie says
December 15, 2018 at 5:58 pmDo these cookies need to be refrorated? Thanks Margie
Kathleen says
January 13, 2019 at 3:34 amHi Margie. I store them in an airtight container at room temperature. 🙂
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Arlette says
February 18, 2010 at 8:19 pmThese cookies sounds amazing…
I bookmarked the recipe to give it a try next week.. I always look for a unique treats to try.
thanks for sharing, i will let you know
melrose says
February 7, 2010 at 3:14 pm:)) I am from former Yu, and this is known as 'London stanglice' (smth. like Bars from London) or according to some sources 'Damen Kapric' (smth. like ladie's caprice). I like it very much!
Dragana says
January 11, 2010 at 2:39 pmI make these as well and they are called Zora Kolachi. What a great idea to add lemon extract. See my entry for 'Zora kolachi' http://draganabakes.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html Yours look delicious!
Mike says
December 14, 2019 at 10:21 pmThanks for mentioning this name, Dragana. I saw this recipe promoted on Yummly today and was looking for it through my old ‘Croatian Cuisine’ cookbook (1978, by Alojzicje & Ruzica Kapetanovic), which includes 42 pages of pastry resipes! Thanks to your naming it, I found a similar one (using 5 egg yolks and whites and ground almonds) called Zagorje Kolach on page 268.
Simply Life says
December 30, 2009 at 1:40 pmi'm so impressed! Coming from a family where I grew up on these, I never thought I'd see them in the blog-world! they look great!
Hilary Havarti says
December 30, 2009 at 3:32 amYum! This looks delish. Bookmarking, stat. Thanks for visiting weheartmacandcheese.com.
Cheers,
Hilary
Donna-FFW says
December 30, 2009 at 2:32 amThese cookies sound absolutely incredible. I am so bookmarking to try them soon.
Natashya KitchenPuppies says
December 26, 2009 at 9:44 pmThey do look really good – but my eye keeps going back to that Goan Chicken!
Katy ~ says
December 26, 2009 at 12:22 pmI'm saving this. I so love family recipes from other countries, and this one is a gem. Thank you so very much for sharing. As someone said, bring the world closer kitchen by kitchen.
deb says
December 25, 2009 at 3:51 amLOVE…LOVE…LOVE the new blog layout and logo! So cute. THe photos have always been fabulous but the new layout makes them pop even more. Great job…kudos to your graphic designer;-)
Merry Christmas to everyone love ya!!!!!
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
December 25, 2009 at 2:24 amHi Kathleen! Oh. My. Gosh. Those look utterly fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. You're a gem!
I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas, and all of the best in 2010.
I'm so happy you're blogging, it's always such a pleasure to visit your site. xo ~m
carma says
December 24, 2009 at 4:08 pmThey do look sinfully delicious!!
I want to thank you for visiting my blog and for the kind words you left on my “wounded bird” post. It meant a lot. It really did 🙂
Have a wonderful holiday!
Colleen @ MuralMaker&More says
December 24, 2009 at 3:49 pmOh, Yum. Thanks for visiting my food blog the other day. I'm off to make Penuche (brn sugar fudge), toffee, eggnog cheesecake & lemon cake. Gotta remember to take pics for posts!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Joanne says
December 24, 2009 at 1:57 pmWow these sound seriously fantastic. And I love the photo! It looks like a spiral staircase (to cookie heaven).
Happy holidays!
Norm says
December 24, 2009 at 6:52 amlinnell is a cookie master!
southbayrantsnraves says
December 24, 2009 at 6:48 amLooks great! I love all these recipes from around the world!
Karine says
December 24, 2009 at 5:00 amYour cookies sound amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Vodka Logic says
December 23, 2009 at 10:46 pmOmg they look great… going to try them
Jamie Cooks It Up! says
December 23, 2009 at 8:13 pmThese look great Kathleen…and great job on your cute header! It's looking fancy around here! Have a Merry Christmas!
A Year on the Grill says
December 23, 2009 at 5:13 pmI have had these before… never knew the origin, but that makes a wonderful cookie… Blackberry jam!!!
these rock
Christy says
December 23, 2009 at 5:01 pmyum! all my baking WAS done…but I have a close friend who is Croatian and I know her father would love these…I am going to make them today–definitely!
Thanks for posting and Merry Christmas
Fresh Local and Best says
December 23, 2009 at 4:01 pmThese cookies look incredible, perfect for enjoying after Christmas dinner!
Rhonda @ Shellbelle's Tiki Hut says
December 23, 2009 at 1:39 pmOh Kathleen, these look and sound wonderful. I love finding recipes from other countries, it just brings the world closer together — kitchen to kitchen.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my new friend!
HoneyB says
December 23, 2009 at 10:31 amKathleen, these look yummy! One of my best friends is Yugoslavian and her MIL whoe came over from Yugoslavia years ago- made us these crepes that I will NEVER forget. Of course, I can't seem to replicate them either, but this post reminded me of them! I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Angie's Recipes says
December 23, 2009 at 8:22 amThese cookie triangles look really special and tempting!