Happy Hanukkah!
This year, Hanukkah and Christmas occurred about the same time. Hanukkah was from December 22 through 28 and Christmas, of course, was December 25. To celebrate both holidays, I made cookies for each. I wanted to try something new and discovered Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hanukkah Gelt Cookies on the Overtime Cook blog, which turned out to be both pretty and delicious.
“The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.” Robert Altinger
The most difficult part about making these yummy Hanukkah cookies was unwrapping the chocolate gelt coins! Many thanks, Miriam, for the idea and the recipe. The texture of these adorable cookies is light and the flavor is amazing. They didn’t last long at my house!
Cookie specifics
Gelt Cookies. These vanilla-flavored cookies are light and so tender that they melt in your mouth. The addition of the chocolate coin on top is the perfect complement to the delicate cookie. Several people in my family are allergic to chocolate, so I topped some of the cookies with a white candy melt, making it possible for them enjoy this treat along with everyone else.
Shapes
I used a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough and a medium-sized gelt chocolate coin for the topper.
Sizes
The finished size of the cookie was about 1½ inches in diameter. You could easily eat two without any guilt!
Cookie Recipe from This Talented Cookie Artist
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Hanukkah Gelt Cookies. Original recipe from Miriam of Overtime Cook.
My Variations
You could top these with any flavor or color candy melts, a Hersey’s kiss, Reese’s peanut butter cup, or a Dove chocolate piece. Let your imagination go wild!
Cookies
Hanukkah Gelt Cookies: butter, cream cheese, flour, confectioners’ sugar, salt, vanilla extract
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Milk chocolate gelt coins (unwrapped, of course!)
Plate, Box or Bag?
Holiday Plate. I arranged these cookies on a holiday plate and set them our for my guests. They were not only pretty, but a conversation starter.
Bags. I mailed several to friends and family throughout the U.S. Each cookie was individually wrapped in a clear, food-safe bag, secured with a twist tie. This helped protect the chocolate coin on top and turned them into little presents.
Mailing. I mailed the cookies Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I usually use lots of bubble wrap and the boxes provided by the Post Office because they are sturdy and convenient. In every case, the cookies arrived undamaged. And because Hanukkah is an eight-day-long celebration, it was okay for them to arrive anytime within those eight days!
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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