Finnish Christmas Cookie (Joulutorttu)
Joulutorttu are great for breakfast or brunch any time of the year, not just for Christmas.
Whether served alongside a warm cup of mulled wine or enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee, Joullutorttu brings joy and a sense of tradition to holiday gatherings, making it a cherished part of Finnish Christmas celebrations.
So, when you think of Finnish holiday traditions, don’t forget to savor the enchanting taste and beauty of Joullutorttu.
Finnish Christmas Cookie (Joulutorttu)
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 230 gr chilled butter
- 315 gr flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 120 ml cold water
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
For cooking:
- flour for working surface
- 300 ml jam
- egg wash optional
- powdered sugar optional
Instructions
Making the dough:
- Start by cutting the cold butter into small cubes and placing them in the freezer to keep them very cold.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
- Using a pastry cutter or two forks, begin working the cold butter into the flour mixture. The goal is to have small, visible pieces of butter still in the dough. This will make the pastry flaky.
- Add the vinegar and half of the ice-cold water to the mixture. Begin to combine the dough, and gradually add the remaining water as needed. You want the dough to come together without being too wet.
- Once the dough forms, shape it into a disc. Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough to a thickness of about 4 mm (⅛ inch).
- Fold the dough into thirds, similar to folding a letter. Start by folding the top third of the dough over the center, then fold the bottom third over the center.
- Turn the dough 90 degrees, roll it out again, and repeat the folding process.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and let them chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Cooking the Joullutorttu:
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (450°F).
- Take one half of the chilled dough and roll it into a rectangle measuring approximately 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inches). Cut this rectangle into six smaller squares.
- Diagonally cut the corners of each square toward the center, leaving enough space in the middle to place the jam.
- Spoon about 1.5-2 tablespoons of prune or apricot jam into the center of each square.
- Fold one corner from each cut piece toward the center of the square and secure it by piercing it with a toothpick. This creates the distinctive pinwheel shape.
- Repeat the same process with the second half of the dough and the remaining jam.
- If desired, brush the pastries with beaten egg to give them a shiny finish.
- Bake the Joullutorttu in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Once out of the oven, let them cool, and before serving, dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
- Enjoy your homemade Joullutorttu, a delicious and festive Finnish pastry!
Notes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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