Belgrader Brot (german Christmas Cookies)

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon clove
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1 teaspoon lemon rind
• 2 ounces candied citron peel, minced
• 2 ounces candied orange peel, minced
• 11 ounces unblanched almonds, ground
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons hot water (more as needed)

Recipe

• 1 grease and flour a large baking sheet.
• 2 preheat oven to 300°f.
• 3 in a large bowl, beat eggs until fluffy.
• 4 add sugar gradually and continue beating until thickened and pale.
• 5 mix together the dry ingredients.
• 6 gradually add to egg mixture and mix until combined.
• 7 fold in lemon rind, candied fruit and almonds.
• 8 this dough is soft and sticky, so either oil or wet your hands before handling.
• 9 divide dough into thirds.
• 10 on the baking sheet, form the dough into three long flat "loaves" spaced a few inches apart to allow for spreading. if your baking sheet is large enough, it will all fit on one sheet.
• 11 bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.
• 12 while the cookies are baking, make the icing by combining the ingredients. you should have a spreadable consistency.
• 13 remove cookies from the oven and let stand a few minutes.
• 14 ice the loaves while they are still on the baking sheet.
• 15 allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice the loaves crosswise into approximately 1/2-3/4 inch slices. do not wait too long before slicing, as the icing will flake off if it cools too much before you slice.
• 16 allow to cool on the baking sheet. these freeze well and keep well.