Recipe: Pernicky (Czech Gingerbread) - Pernik, Czechoslovakian Perniky, Iced Pernik, Christmas Cookies (Perniky)

fOR BARB IN WISCONSIN: These recipes are from a Czech-American cookbook from Nebraska, where a large settlement of Czechs live...1986

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PERNIK

1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup black coffee
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup light molasses
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
Flour to make a firm dough (amount was not specified)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients, adding enough flour to make a dough firm enough to roll out.

Turn out on a floured board and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with various cutters--a heart, animals, gingerbread men.

Place on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven until firm to the touch, about 15-20 minutes.

When cooled, decorate with cake decorator with a butter frosting in various colors.

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CZECHOSLOVAKIAN PERNIKY

4 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon mace
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Grated rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange
1/2 pound honey
1 egg, beaten
3 ounces EACH candied citron, lemon, orange peel
3 to 5 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons butter

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Let stand 12 hours in bowl.

Roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out forms with cookie cutters. Brush tops with slightly beaten egg white and place half of a blanched almond in center of each. Put on buttered baking sheet and bake in a moderate oven (325-350 degrees) until light borwn.

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ICED PERNIK

1 lb flour
8 oz sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon aniseed
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon badian*
2 tablespoons honey
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon rum
Grated lemon rind
beaten egg (for brushing tops)

Sieve flour, add sugar, baking soda, seasonings.

Warm honey and mix with beaten eggs, rum, and lemon rind. Pour into the flour and work all together into a stiff dough. Leave to stand overnight.

The next day, roll out a thick layer and cut out figures or various shapes. Brush with beaten egg and bake in hot oven.

Ice when cold with lemon or rum icing.

*See next recipe for explanation of 'badian'.

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CHRISTMAS COOKIES (PERNIKY)

1 pound of honey
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
2 egg yolks
1 pound flour (plus more as needed)
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon EACH of 'badian'*
1/2 teaspoon anise seed
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
a little grated lemon and orange rind
1 ounce of bicarbonate of POTASH**

Melt honey, 1/2 cup hot water, and brown sugar in the top of double boiler. Remove from heat and cool.

Add butter, egg yolks, 1 pound flour, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, 'badian', anise, coriander, and cinnamon.

Add a little grated lemon and orange rind, and 1 ounce of bicarbonate of POTASH**, pounded into powder. Mix all ingredients, and add enough flour to make a dough that is easy to roll out. Dough may be used immediately, or may be allowed to rest in a cool place for a few days.

These cookies are frosted with confectioners' sugar and water icing, and decorated with colored candies.

*Additional information: Included in the ingredients is a spice called 'badian'. This is STAR ANISE, and I presume it would have to be grated, or pounded to a powder. This should be available in the spice/herb section of your grocery store (or try the oriental food section).

The recipe all calls for **'bicarbonate of potash' (as a leavening agent). This is NOT an error, the pharmacist said it should be available at any drug store. It is a granular substance, and is similar to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).