Finnish Prune Tarts Recipes

JOULUTORTTU (FINNISH CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a large bowl beat together butter and ricotta cheese with an electric hand mixer. Add the flour, and mix until a soft dough comes together.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours (up to overnight), until firm.
• Preheat your oven to 425F.
• Lightly flour your countertop and roll out one section of dough to a rectangle (roughly 12 x 9 inches) that is about an 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
• In each square, make four cuts, one from each corner, each going 1/2 - 2/3 of the way to the center of the square.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of each square.
• Fold every other corner of each square over the jam. Use the beaten egg wash to moisten the corners slightly and lightly press to seal the corners together over top of the jam.
• Transfer your pinwheel cookie to a parchment lined baking sheet, placing the cookies 1 inch apart.
• Repeat with the second half of the dough.
• Lightly brush the tops of the cookies with the beaten egg.
• Bake the cookies 10-12 minutes, until golden.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once the cookies are cool, dust them lightly with powdered sugar.
• Store the cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for 3-4 days.

FINNISH TARTS

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients expect from the egg and the marlalade. Make a dough and let it cool about 1 hour.
• Roll the dough into a big circle and cut into small ones, by using a mug.
• Place one teaspoon of marmalade at the middle of the circle and pinch the edges.
• Beat the egg and shine the tarts.
• Place on cookie sheets and bake at 470F for 30 minutes.

FINNISH PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine dried plums, dates, water and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in butter. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter as for a pie crust. Blend in egg, cream and vanilla. Form into 2 balls. , Place 1 ball at a time on a floured surface and roll to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into 2-in. squares. Place on ungreased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, make 1-in. diagonal slits in corners. Place 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each square. Bring every other corner up into center to form a pinwheel and press lightly. Bake at 325° until the points are light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Dust with confectioners' sugar.