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
Yugoslavian Christmas Cookies Are A Unique Christmas Cookie Made Up Of Layers Of Crunchy Nuts, A Meringue Topping, Blackberry Jelly On A Shortbread Crust!
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.
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Nutritional Information
Nutrition information will vary based on the specific products. To be safe, check the nutrition facts labels of your products. Optional object listed above have been left out of nutritional data.
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! ♥
More Christmas Treats…
37 Comments
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Welcome to Gonna Want Seconds! I’m a home cook and my favorite place to be is in my kitchen cooking up a storm. I’m also a wife, mother, Bernese Mountain dog lover, friend, daughter, sister, and reluctant exerciser. 
I 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.
Hi, 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
What is the best way to store these?? Can they be frozen short term??
Hi 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
Can I freeze these for later?
Hi Thom. Yes, they can be frozen. 🙂
I’m Croation & Slav & I will have to make these cookies along with Potica & all other ethnic dishes. They sound yummy!
Hey Marlene! I Love these so much! Hope you do as well!
Hi.. post is pretty old but these are very similar to my country New Zealand and called Louise Cake.. might give them a go
Hi, Lisa! Yum, Louise Cake and this cake really looks the same! I hope you enjoy making it! 🙂
Do these cookies need to be refrorated? Thanks Margie
Hi Margie. I store them in an airtight container at room temperature. 🙂
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
Extremely helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much.
I was looking for this particular info for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
These 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
:)) 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!
I 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!
i'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!
Yum! This looks delish. Bookmarking, stat. Thanks for visiting weheartmacandcheese.com.
Cheers,
Hilary
These cookies sound absolutely incredible. I am so bookmarking to try them soon.
They do look really good – but my eye keeps going back to that Goan Chicken!
I'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.
LOVE…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!!!!!
Hi 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
They 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!
Oh, 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!
Wow these sound seriously fantastic. And I love the photo! It looks like a spiral staircase (to cookie heaven).
Happy holidays!
linnell is a cookie master!
Looks great! I love all these recipes from around the world!
Your cookies sound amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Omg they look great… going to try them
These look great Kathleen…and great job on your cute header! It's looking fancy around here! Have a Merry Christmas!
I have had these before… never knew the origin, but that makes a wonderful cookie… Blackberry jam!!!
these rock
yum! 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
These cookies look incredible, perfect for enjoying after Christmas dinner!
Oh 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!
Kathleen, 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!
These cookie triangles look really special and tempting!