Lesya 
In Ukraine, homemade cookies or cakes are made from scratch, are simple, and don’t require expensive products. Grandmas are passing down their recipes in notebooks to daughters and daughters to their granddaughters. These notes are as precious as family jewelry! Although the cookies do not look perfect – that is their charm. When cookies look perfect, they are probably not homemade.
The recipe for our cookies came from our auntie. The entire family believed that nobody could make these cookies better than her. However, we decided to take on the challenge anyway! Surprisingly, the taste turned out to be very good and close to the original. To make the 50 cookies vary in appearance, we improvised and added additional ingredients and toppings. In our video we show the the easy-to-follow steps how to prepare the dough, and then cut cookies and bake them. Please check it out!
The name “Stefania” was borrowed from the song of the same name that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. The song was dedicated to Stefania, the Ukrainian mother, and had special meaning for all Ukrainians that year. We hope you will enjoy our homemade cookies and pray for peace in Ukraine!
Homemade cookies “Stefania”
Equipment
- 2 baking trays
- 3 cookie cutters
- 1 mortar and pestle
- 1 small pot
- 1 whisk optional
Ingredients
- 4 cups wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp egg whites
- 500 g unsalted butter vegetable margarine
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ tspn vanilla sugar
- ⅓ tspn salt
- 1 tspn baking soda
- 100 g cocoa optional
- 1½ cup sliced almonds optional
- 100 g semi-sweet chocolate chips optional
- ½ tspn cinnamon optional
- ½ tspn nutmeg
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat eggs with a whisk or fork for 5 minutes.
- Add sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well and whisk again.
- Cut the butter into small pieces. On low heat, stir these slices in a pot until the butter fully melts.
- Combine the melted butter and eggs.
- Gradually add flour and mix well.
- Cover the dough with a food wrap and put the bowl in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
- Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes, add 1 cup of almond slices, and knead again.
- Cut the dough into two parts. Add cocoa to the second half and mix it into the dough. This step is optional, do it if you want brown and white cookies.
- Roll the dough out and cut it into hearts, snowflakes, or other shapes.
- Preheat the oven to 180C (360F).
- Line two baking trays with cooking paper and place the cookies on it. Leave some room between them so they don’t cling to each other. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add chocolate chips to a small pot and heat over low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate has melted.
- In a mortar, chop finely the remaining ½ cup of almond slices.
- When the cookies are ready, put them aside to cool. Then brush some of them with the chocolate dip and garnish with almond pieces.
- Ready to serve!
Is it cheaper to make your own cookies?
It is way cheaper to make your own cookies or desserts than to buy them from stores. For example, to bake 50 cookies under our recipe “Stefania” you will spend approximately 8-10 dollars. Preparation and baking time should be factored in, of course. However, baking homemade cookies can also be a fun and learning activity for the entire family!
Why homemade cookies or desserts are better?
Homemade cookies or desserts are better than store-bought because they are healthier and cheaper. When you make your own cookies you control the quantities and ingredients that you use. You will add less sugar, no colorants, and no preservatives. You can modify your cookies the way you want and add new interesting touches to them. Please check our other recipes for Ukrainian desserts, such as Nalysnyky with homemade cottage cheese or hand pies with cherries and blueberries.
Conclusion
Homemade cookies may not look perfect, but they look charming and taste great! You can modify them the way you want and turn them into a real stand-out dessert for your family and guests. Our “Stefania” homemade cookies are simple to make and don’t require any special skills or expensive products. Please share with us your opinion about this recipe! Visit our other pages for ideas about desserts, snacks, or main dishes. All the best in 2023!
