Russian Spice Cookies (Pryaniki)
Prepare traditional Russian spice cookies, also known as pryaniki, perfect for serving with hot tea or sbiten, especially during the Christmas holidays.
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 F, or 325 F if using agave syrup, and position racks in the upper and lower portions.
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Sift flour, baking soda, and spices (cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, optional nutmeg, allspice, salt) into a medium bowl.
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In a large bowl, beat egg yolks, a whole egg, granulated sugar, butter, honey or agave syrup, and vanilla.
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Mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined, then cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
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Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough, roll into smooth balls, and place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets.
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Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until golden, rotating the sheets halfway through.
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Allow cookies to firm slightly on the sheets before transferring them to racks to cool completely.
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For the glaze, whisk confectioners' sugar with enough water to form a thin icing.
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Spread the icing onto the cooled cookies with a pastry brush and let it harden before serving.