Hello, my lovely baking friends! As the holiday season begins to twinkle like the lights strung around the Christmas tree, it brings with it that warm feeling of joy, nostalgia, and the irresistible scent of delicious treats baking away in the oven. One of my favorite holiday delights is the Black Forest Cookies. These cookies are a magical twist on the classic Black Forest cake, melding the rich flavors of chocolate, cherries, and white chocolate cream filling into each beautiful bite. They’re fun to make, delightful to eat, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Are you ready to create something special for this festive season? Let’s dive into the sweet world of Black Forest Cookies!
Why Make This Recipe
Why should you make Black Forest Cookies? Because they capture the essence of Christmas and the joy of giving. These cookies aren’t just adorable; they’re a feast for the senses. The combination of dark chocolate, cherry jam, and creamy white chocolate filling brings a cozy, sweet flavor that whispers holiday cheer. Plus, they’re wonderful for cookie exchanges and gatherings, not to mention the fun you’ll have while making them! When you present a tray of these delightful treats, you’re not just sharing food; you’re sharing love, joy, and the spirit of togetherness. And let’s be honest, making cookies is a great excuse to fill your kitchen with laughter and delicious aromas. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s make some holiday magic!
How to Make Black Forest Cookies
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
For the Filling:
- 7 ounces white chocolate
- 3.4 fluid ounces heavy cream
- 10.5 ounces cherry jam (strained) or cherry jelly
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons cherry schnapps
Additionally:
- 3.5 ounces milk or dark chocolate
- A small handful of chopped dark chocolate for sprinkling
Directions:
Start by kneading together all the dough ingredients for your Black Forest Cookies. It’s a great time to let off some steam! Once incorporated, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 to 60 minutes. This will help develop the flavors and make the dough easier to handle.
While the dough is chilling, let’s prepare the luscious filling. Finely chop the white chocolate and set it aside. In a saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and pour it over the chopped white chocolate. Stir the mixture until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Afterward, chill the filling for a few hours in the fridge to let it set.
Preheat your oven to 320°F (or 356°F for a conventional oven). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out circles. For half of these circles, remember to cut small holes in the center, this is where the cherry jam will go.
Place all your cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Once baked, allow them to cool completely.
While your cookies cool, it’s time to prepare the finishing touches. Finely chop the dark chocolate and melt it over a double boiler. Carefully dip the cookies with the hole in the center into the melted chocolate, place them back on the parchment paper, and sprinkle them with the chopped dark chocolate. Allow them to dry.
For the filling, whip the cooled white chocolate cream until creamy with a hand mixer or whisk. Fill a piping bag with a round or star-shaped tip and pipe a delightful swirl onto the baked cookies without holes.
To finish, gently warm the cherry jam or jelly and mix in the cherry schnapps if you’re feeling a little adventurous. Fill the center of the cookies with the cherry concoction, and there you have it, delicious Black Forest Cookies!
How to Serve Black Forest Cookies
These Black Forest Cookies are perfect for sharing, so place them on a beautiful platter and serve them at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy gatherings with loved ones. A little dusting of powdered sugar on top can add a festive touch, making them even more enticing. Pair them with a cup of warm cocoa or a glass of spiced cider for a delightful seasonal treat.
How to Store Black Forest Cookies
To keep these cookies fresh and fabulous, store them in an airtight container. They’ll last for about a week at room temperature or up to two weeks if refrigerated. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them, just ensure they’re in an airtight container to maintain their deliciousness.
Tips to Make Black Forest Cookies
Chill the Dough: Don’t skip on chilling the dough; it makes a world of difference. It helps in rolling and cutting out the cookie shapes without them sticking.
White Chocolate Alternative: If you can’t find white chocolate, you can use cream cheese frosting as a filling instead; it offers a different but equally delightful flavor.
Experiment with Fillings: While cherry is traditional, feel free to experiment with other fruit jams or jellies. Raspberry or strawberry can add a fun twist!
Variation
If you’d like to mix things up, try adding a little orange zest to the dough for a burst of freshness. This zest pairs beautifully with chocolate and cherry flavors, bringing a new dimension to your Black Forest Cookies.
FAQs
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can make the dough a day or two in advance, just remember to keep it wrapped in the refrigerator.
Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of jam?
A: Fresh cherries can be used, but they may release juice as they bake. Jam tends to hold its form better, creating a more satisfying bite.
Q: Are these cookies suitable for gifting?
A: Yes! Wrap them in cute cellophane bags, tie with a festive ribbon, and share the love with friends and family.
So, what are you waiting for? Your holiday oven is calling, whip up a batch of Black Forest Cookies and spread the joy this season! Happy baking, everyone!
Print
Black Forest Cookies
- Total Time: 72 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful cookies inspired by the classic Black Forest cake, filled with chocolate, cherries, and a creamy white chocolate filling, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 7 ounces white chocolate
- 3.4 fluid ounces heavy cream
- 10.5 ounces cherry jam (strained) or cherry jelly
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons cherry schnapps
- 3.5 ounces milk or dark chocolate
- A small handful of chopped dark chocolate for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, knead together all dough ingredients until incorporated. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare the filling by finely chopping the white chocolate. In a saucepan, bring heavy cream to a gentle boil, remove from heat, and pour over the chopped white chocolate. Stir until smooth and chill for a few hours.
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (356°F for conventional). Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles, cutting small holes in half of them.
- Place the cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- Melt dark chocolate over a double boiler. Dip cookies with holes into the melted chocolate, place on parchment, and sprinkle with chopped chocolate. Let dry.
- Whip cooled white chocolate cream until creamy. Pipe onto cookies without holes.
- Warm cherry jam and mix in cherry schnapps, then fill the center of cookies with the concoction.
Notes
Chill the dough for easier handling and to develop flavors. Experiment with different fruit jams for the filling.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg