Hey there, cookie lovers!
The holiday season is right around the corner, and you know what that means—it’s time to bake some Christmas cookies!
Today, I’m excited to share a fun twist on a classic treat: Christmas cookies made with lard.
They’re rich, flaky, and packed with flavor. Plus, they bring back all those warm, nostalgic vibes of family gatherings.
Grab your apron, and let’s dive into this tasty holiday tradition!
| Preparation Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 40-44 minutes |
| Total Time | 55-69 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs (room temperature for better mixing)
- 12 oz lard (best if rendered from leaf fat)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup white sugar
- 5 1/3 cups flour (I like King Arthur all-purpose flour)
Step 1: Prepare Dry and Wet Ingredients
In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.
Mix until fully combined, then set aside.
In a mixer bowl, add sugar and eggs.
Start the mixer on low speed and mix for a couple of minutes.
Gradually add smaller pieces of lard to the mixer bowl and increase the mixer speed to medium.
Continue mixing until all the lard is added and the mixture is well combined, approximately a few minutes.
Step 2: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Transfer the lard, sugar, and eggs mixture to a large bowl.
Slowly add the flour mixture to this wet mixture, stirring with a spatula initially.
Start working the dough with your hands.
The dough will be crumbly at first but will gradually take shape and develop texture after a few minutes of kneading.
Step 3: Form and Roll the Dough
Dust your work surface generously with flour and transfer the dough onto it.
Work the dough until you achieve a sticky yet firm dough ball.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Divide the dough into two parts.
Roll out the first part, dusting the rolling pin with flour often to prevent sticking.
Roll the dough to approximately 3/8 of an inch thickness.
For additional texture, you can optionally roll an engraved rolling pin onto the dough surface.
Cut the cookies using a biscuit cutter or any cookie cutter of your preference.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Transfer the cut cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
This recipe yields around 50 cookies, so you’ll likely need to bake them in 2 batches.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden around the edges.
The tops should remain pale.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
Serve immediately while warm or let them reach room temperature.
Enjoy your delicious homemade cookies!
