Delve into the charming lore of Serbian vanilla cookies, these small delicacies that carry stories stretched across generations.
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A Sweet Peak into Vanilice Origins
The name Little Vanillas, originated from Serbian, paints a light-hearted picture – and that's precisely what these diminutive biscuits are all about! Commonly prepared for major celebrations, such as Christmas (Bożić) or family's religious holidays (slava), these scrumptious cookies reflect a warm, inviting culture of sharing and camaraderie. Much like each family's guarded recipe, the legacy of Vanilice extends through quintessential traditions and togetherness.
Keeping It Simple and Traditional
With straightforward ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, Vanilice are a testament to the notion that something magnificent can be created using everyday items. Traditionally, Vanilice consist of butter, wheat flour, powdered sugar, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and powdered sugar or jam. They are two petite, sanded circles, akin to miniature sandwiches or homemade Oreos, joined together by a thin layer of jam.
Vanilice: Cherishing Memories Across Generations
These scrumptious cookies evoke fond memories of Serbian homes, especially during winsome winter festivities and boisterous family gatherings. Despite minor variations in fillings or amounts of sugar, each dessert enthusiast will agree on the essence: sharing and passing down traditions through generations. It's often stated that Vanilice become even more delightful the next day, as they tenderize overnight – an encouragement to make large quantities for enjoying throughout multiple days.
A Traditional Vanilice Recipe Worth Savoring
Here's a simple yet authentic Serbian recipe for homemade Vanilice, making approximately 30 biscuits (or 60 once paired):
Ingredients
- 250g soft butter or lard,
- 100g powdered sugar,
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar or few drops of vanilla essence,
- 1 egg,
- 400-450g flour (customize as needed),
- Jam or preserves like raspberry, blackberry, or apricot,
- Additional powdered sugar for dusting
Preparation
- Cream the softened butter with the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the whole egg, ensuring the mixture remains uniform.
- Gradually incorporate flour until you achieve a soft, pliable dough that is not overly sticky.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface, aiming for a thickness of 4-5mm.
- Using a cookie cutter, fashion small circles from the dough.
- Place the circles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden.
- Upon cooling, sandwich two biscuits with a dollop of jam.
- Coat the assembled cookies in powdered sugar and allow them to rest for 24 hours to enhance the flavors and tenderize the Vanilice even further.
Join us in Discover Europe for an unforgettable culinary adventure, and Book your Flight to taste these cultural wonders firsthand!
- Delight in the traditional Serbian cookie, Vanilice, prepared specifically for festive occasions like Christmas and family religious holidays, reflecting the culture's camaraderie and sharing values.
- The simplicity of Vanilice comes from traditional ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, creating a small, sandwich-like cookie filled with jam or preserves.
- Embrace the generational passing of traditions through a homemade Vanilice recipe, resulting in a dessert that becomes more delightful with its tenderizing over time, perfect for taste and savoring memories.
