Tired of traditional Christmas cookies? Why not try out this recipe instead?

Nuss Platzchen / Hickory Nut Cookies

½ cup butter or margarine, softened
2 ⅓ cups sugar (equals 1 pound)
1 ¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 eggs
½ pound hickory nuts, chopped fine

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cream butter and sugar. In a separate bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Beat in eggs, alternating with flour mixture. Add hickory nuts and stir well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen.

Lena Schinnerling, Middle Amana

Note: Mrs. Schinnerling, a resident of a Middle Amana, was a Garteschwester (garden sister) helping to tend one of the large kitchen gardens in Middle Amana. She and her husband, Carl, and two children lived in the apartment adjoining the Middle Amana Saal (church). At Christmas these hickory nut cookies were among those Mrs. Schinnerling shared with family and friends.

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This recipe comes from the cookbook Seasons of Plenty: Amana Communal Cooking and was posted with permission of author Emilie Hoppe. Learn more about the book and how to purchase it.