The Ultimate Guide to Paper-Thin Moravian Christmas Cookies: A Beloved Holiday Tradition
There are Christmas cookies, and then there are Moravian Christmas Cookies. These aren’t just any holiday treat; they are an experience. Imagine a cookie so incredibly thin, it’s almost translucent, yet bursting with a harmonious blend of warm spices and rich molasses. Each bite delivers a satisfying crispness followed by a sweet, gingery flavor that hints at gingerbread, but with an unparalleled depth and an utterly irresistible quality. They are, quite simply, spectacularly addictive and a true highlight of holiday baking.
Welcome to Day 5 (Part 1) of our annual 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021! Today, we’re diving deep into the history, charm, and delicate art of making these quintessential holiday delights, ensuring your festive season is filled with the aroma and taste of these traditional spiced molasses cookies.
A Taste of History: The Moravian Legacy in Winston-Salem
My personal journey with these magnificent paper-thin cookies began during my college days at Wake Forest University. Located in the vibrant city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest offered many lessons – in math, French, and perhaps a few less academic pursuits. But one culinary truth stood out above all: Moravian Christmas Cookies are the stuff of sweet dreams and cherished memories. For those who might not know, Winston-Salem is also the proud birthplace of Krispy Kreme – a fun fact that often surprises people who assume such an iconic brand originated in a trendier locale. However, today, our focus is on an even older, more deeply rooted culinary tradition that defines the holiday season for many in this region.
The city of Winston-Salem was originally settled by a devout community of Moravians, a Protestant denomination originating in Central Europe. While the original settlers are long gone, their heritage lives on vibrantly through their culinary contributions. Their legacy of exquisite wafer-thin spice cookies endures, especially during the holiday season. These Moravian Cookies are more than just a recipe; they are a direct link to the past, a culinary tradition passed down through generations, embodying the spirit and rich flavors of the Moravian people. They truly are a symbol of comfort and tradition, making them a must-have for any Christmas celebration.
From Skeptic to Enthusiast: My Love Affair with Crispy Cookies
It’s hard to believe now, but before my college experience, I was not a fan of crispy cookies. If a cookie showed even a hint of browned edges, I would pass it over without a second thought. My preference was always for soft, chewy textures. However, the Moravian Christmas Cookie (MCC) defied all my preconceived notions about cookies and swiftly stole my heart, transforming my taste preferences forever.
My introduction came in the form of a thoughtful “Welcome to Winston” care package from my parents’ friends. Inside, among other local treats, were sleeves of Moravian sugar cookies and their famous Christmas cookies. I remember initially eyeing the paper-thin, crispy molasses cookies with a certain disdain, setting them aside in favor of something softer. But college food, as many can attest, is often… uninspiring, to say the least. (I won’t even mention what I ate for lunch for four years straight – it’s still embarrassing, and no, it certainly wasn’t fried! #healthyeating #moreroomforcookies)
It wasn’t long before my curiosity, or perhaps sheer hunger for something truly delicious, got the better of me. I opened that box of Moravian Christmas Cookies. And that, my friends, was the beginning of a lifelong obsession with these thinly rolled, perfectly spiced delights. The delicate crunch and powerful blend of ginger, cloves, and cinnamon were unlike anything I had ever tasted.
These thin, spiced wonders come packaged in sleeves, much like the iconic Thin Mints, but with a unique holiday flair. And just like Thin Mints, I consider it a personal challenge not to devour an entire sleeve of these Moravian delights in one sitting. Their delicate crunch and powerful spice blend create a symphony of flavors that is truly unforgettable. There should probably be a warning label of sorts: “Caution: Highly Addictive Moravian Christmas Cookies Inside!”
Why Moravian Christmas Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Holiday Baking Tradition
If you’re a devoted fan of classic holiday flavors found in gingersnaps, gingerbread cookies, or any variation of molasses sugar cookies, then you are absolutely going to adore Moravian Christmas Cookies. In my home, these spiced molasses cookies are as much a symbol of Christmas as fruitcake or stollen bread. Their unique combination of deep, rich molasses, potent ginger, warm cloves, fragrant cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, and a touch of allspice creates a warm, festive aroma that fills the entire house, instantly transporting you to the heart of the holiday season.
Beyond their incredible taste and captivating aroma, there’s a certain magic in the process of making them. It’s a mindful, almost meditative task that connects you to generations of bakers who have meticulously rolled out these delicate discs. The reward? A batch of cookies that are not only delicious but also beautiful, a testament to the love and care poured into their creation. These crispy, thin Christmas cookies are truly special, offering a unique texture and flavor that stands out on any holiday cookie platter.
The Art of Thinness: Mastering Moravian Christmas Cookies
Achieving the signature paper-thin texture of Moravian Christmas Cookies is undoubtedly the most challenging, yet immensely rewarding, aspect of this traditional recipe. It took me quite a few batches, a lot of flour, and some dedicated trial and error to truly nail the ideal thickness – or rather, the exquisite thinness – and consequently, the perfect baking time. There’s a very narrow window, sometimes as brief as 20 seconds, between crispy perfection and an unfortunate charred outcome. But fear not! I’ve done all the troubleshooting for you, and I’m here to share the hard-won secrets to success in creating these delicate and delicious Christmas cookies.
Look closely at the photo above: can you spot the subtle but crucial difference between the two cookies? The top one embodies the appropriate, almost translucent thinness, while the bottom was rolled a bit thicker, more akin to construction paper. After baking, a perfectly thin Moravian Christmas Cookie should be just shy of 1 millimeter. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about achieving that characteristic snap and melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes these spiced molasses cookies so famous. This level of thinness allows the vibrant flavors of ginger and other spices to truly sing, making each bite a delightful burst of holiday cheer. So, get ready to practice those rolling skills – precision is key!
How to Make the Thinnest Moravian Christmas Cookies (My Hard-Earned Lessons for Perfection)
After much experimentation and a few less-than-perfect batches, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of essential tips to help you achieve flawlessly thin and delicious Moravian Christmas Cookies. These are the lessons I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to struggle; instead, you can enjoy the process and the exceptional results!
- Roll Them Paper-Thin: The Golden Rule. When I say “paper-thin,” I truly mean it. We’re not aiming for cardboard, construction paper, or even heavy-gauge wedding invitation thinness. Think printer-paper-thin. This is crucial because the cookies will actually puff up to about double their thickness in the oven. The thinner you roll them, the crispier, more delicate, and more flavorful the final result will be. This extreme thinness is the cornerstone of a true, authentic Moravian Christmas Cookie, allowing for that characteristic snap and melt-away texture.
- Generous Bench Flour is Your Best Friend. Do not be shy with the flour on your work surface. Liberally cover your counter or pastry board with flour. You’re going to need it to prevent the incredibly delicate dough from sticking, especially as you roll it out to its extreme thinness. A well-floured surface ensures smooth, even rolling and makes it much easier to lift your intricately cut cookies without tearing. This prevents frustration and keeps the process enjoyable.
- Mindful Top Surface Flour Application. While you need plenty of flour underneath the dough, avoid caking the top surface. Instead, tap your hand on the floured counter and then lightly rub that minimal amount of flour onto your rolling pin. You want just enough flour on the pin to prevent it from sticking to the dough, but you shouldn’t see a visible, dusty layer of flour on the dough itself. An excess of flour on top can affect the texture and taste.
- Brush Away Excess Flour: A Critical Step. This step is often overlooked but is incredibly important for superior taste. Use a clean, dry pastry brush to gently sweep away any excess flour from the surface of your rolled and cut dough before transferring them to the baking sheet. Why? Because flour that bakes at 375°F (190°C) for several minutes can develop a bitter, unpleasant taste. You want the pure, spiced molasses flavor to shine through, not a hint of raw flour, which can ruin the delicate balance of spices.
- Reroll Scraps Sparingly for Optimal Texture. Due to the generous amount of bench flour used during rolling, I strongly recommend only rerolling your dough scraps once. Working too much flour into the dough by repeatedly rerolling it can lead to tough, dry, and tasteless cookies. You want your Moravian Christmas Cookies to be thin like paper, but certainly not taste like it! Discard any remaining scraps after the first reroll to maintain the dough’s delicate texture and ensure consistently delicious results.
- Handle with Love and Gentleness: The Baker’s Mantra. This might sound a bit whimsical, but it’s a genuine culinary school lesson: a gentle, loving touch is the key to all good pastry. The dough for these cookies is delicate, and forcing it will result in tears, unevenness, and frustration. Roll with care, applying even, light pressure. Your patience and gentle handling will be richly rewarded with beautifully consistent, tender-crisp cookies.
- Recognize the Visual Cue for Perfect Thinness. There’s a distinct visual cue that tells you when you’ve reached the perfect thinness for your Moravian Christmas Cookie dough. Your dark molasses dough will begin to change color, appearing as a lighter brown sugar shade, and most importantly, you should be able to faintly see the counter or work surface through it. Congratulations! When you reach this stage, you’ve arrived at the ideal Moravian thinness, signifying the dough is ready for cutting and baking.
- Expert Tip for Tackling Sticky Centers. Inevitably, there will come a point in the rolling process when you can no longer easily lift the large sheet of dough to get more flour under the center, and the middle starts to stick and resist further thinning. Don’t panic! Gently roll out the edges to the proper thickness, cut your cookies from those areas, and carefully transfer them to your baking pan. Next, using a thin offset spatula, gently slide it under the remaining dough and, using both hands (and lots of love!), carefully flip it over. Sprinkle a little more flour on your surface and continue rolling and cutting. Problem solved, with no tears (from you or the dough!).
- Lightly Flour Your Cookie Cutters. A quick dip of your cookie cutter in flour, followed by a tap to remove the excess, will help ensure clean, sharp cuts and prevent the delicate dough from sticking to the cutter. This makes the cutting process much smoother and more efficient.
- Embrace Imperfection (or Aim for Perfection!): Your Choice. Store-bought Moravian Christmas Cookies are often perfectly flat and uniform. You can achieve this by baking your cookies with a second baking sheet placed directly on top of the first, acting as a weight. However, I personally believe that life’s little imperfections are what make homemade treats a million times better than anything you can buy. A slight curl, a unique edge, or a tiny imperfection only adds to their charm and signals that they were crafted with love and care in your own kitchen. Choose the aesthetic that speaks to you!
- Celebrate Your Culinary Masterpiece. Once you’ve successfully rolled and baked your paper-thin masterpieces, take a moment to admire your work! Then, send pictures to all your friends and family, and brag a little. You’ve earned the accolades for mastering this classic, challenging, and incredibly rewarding holiday cookie! Revel in the joy of your accomplishment.
- No Shortcuts Here: The Manual Method Reigns Supreme. I confess, there was a brief moment when I thought my KitchenAid pasta attachment might be a brilliant shortcut for rolling this dough to such extreme thinness. Alas, the dough is far too fragile and lacks the necessary moisture and gluten structure for such mechanical shortcuts. Unless you happen to have an industrial-grade sheeter lying around (and if you do, can I borrow it?), forget about it. This is a hands-on endeavor, a labor of love, and the exquisite results are absolutely worth every bit of effort.
The Moravian Christmas Cookies Recipe
Ready to bake a batch of these unforgettable, spiced molasses cookies? Here’s the detailed recipe that will guide you through creating your own supply of traditional Moravian Christmas Cookies. This recipe, adapted from The American Heritage Cookbook, 1964 edition, is a timeless classic. An added bonus: these delightful cookies are naturally vegan! Feel free to share this exciting news with all your friends, especially those looking for festive plant-based treats that are full of holiday flavor.
One of the best features of this recipe for thin and crispy cookies is that the dough keeps exceptionally well in the refrigerator for weeks. This means you can prepare a large batch of dough in advance and bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes, or as gifts throughout the entire holiday season. It offers wonderful flexibility for busy schedules, allowing you to roll as much or as little as you’d like at a time, ensuring you always have a fresh supply of these addictive cookies.
Moravian Christmas Cookies
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Ingredients
- ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon ginger
- ¾ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup molasses
- ½ cup shortening
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
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In a medium bowl whisk together the sugar, soda, salt and all the spices.
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In a medium saucepan heat the molasses just to the boiling point but do not boil. This doesn’t take very long so watch it.
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Stir in the shortening until perfectly smooth. Cool slightly.
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Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer or use a hand mixer to beat in the sugar mixture. Add a bit of the flour, stirring to combine. As soon as it starts to hold together in a sticky dough, scoop it out onto the well-floured counter. Your bench flour in this step is part of the 4 cups total flour.
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Knead in the flour with your hands until the dough holds together. I used about 3 ½ cups of flour. The dough will become very stiff and that is what you want!
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Roll into a ball and refrigerate until firm. I refrigerated it overnight.
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When you are ready to roll (ha! Sorry.), preheat oven to 375° and line several baking sheets with parchment.
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Cut off a portion of the dough and roll paper-thin on a well floured surface. Cut into 2 inch circles, I used the fluted cutter because that is how the cookies looked at Wake. A small offset spatula works well for lifting the delicate circles from the counter. Brush off any excess flour and place on lines baking sheet. They don’t spread at all, so I baked mine less than ½ inch apart.
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Bake 4 minutes; rotate tray; bake 2 more; cool on baking sheet; stack and repeat.
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I only baked one sheet at a time because my oven sucks and there is no such thing as a top third and a bottom third. Divide and conquer at your own risk.
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They bake and cool so fast that it really doesn’t slow you down.
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Notes
These cookies are vegan! Tell all your friends!
The dough will keep for weeks, so you can roll as much or as little as you would like at a time.
Nutrition
A Beloved Tradition for Generations to Come
Moravian Christmas Cookies are more than just a seasonal treat; they are a cherished tradition that brings warmth, flavor, and a deep sense of history to any holiday celebration. Their distinctive paper-thin crispness, combined with the rich, aromatic spices of ginger, molasses, and cinnamon, makes them stand out from any other cookie. Whether you’re a seasoned baker looking for a challenge or new to the world of delicate pastry, mastering these cookies is a truly rewarding experience that connects you to a timeless culinary art form.
These thin, spiced cookies make wonderful gifts, travel exceptionally well, and are perfect for sharing with loved ones, spreading a little bit of that authentic Winston-Salem holiday magic wherever they go. They are ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of tea or coffee by the fire. So, gather your ingredients, clear your counter, and prepare to embark on a delightful baking journey. You might just find that these exquisite Moravian Christmas Cookies become your new favorite holiday obsession, a staple of your festive season, just as they did for me. Happy baking, and happy holidays filled with delicious traditions!