Medovníky (Slovak Honey Spice Cookies)
In short: Soft honey cookies spiced with cinnamon, ginger and cloves, cut into shapes and covered with a thin lemon sugar glaze. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 20 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 20
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Medovníky are the honey cookies that fill Slovak biscuit tins at Christmas. A dough sweetened with honey and warmed with cinnamon, ginger and cloves is rolled out, cut into shapes and baked until puffed but still soft. A thin lemon glaze finishes them. The cookies soften and the spices deepen after a couple of days in a tin, so they are best baked ahead.
Instructions
- Warm the honey, sugar and butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture cool for 15 minutes, until lukewarm.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, spices and salt into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in the honey mixture, add the egg and mix to a soft dough, then knead briefly until smooth.
- Wrap the dough and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight. It is very sticky when warm.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking trays with baking paper. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to 5 mm (1/4 in) thick and cut out shapes with cutters about 5 cm (2 in) wide. Re-roll the scraps.
- Place the cookies 2 cm (3/4 in) apart on the trays and bake, one tray at a time, for 8 to 10 minutes, until puffed and just firm at the edges. Cool on a wire rack.
- Stir the powdered sugar, lemon juice and water into a thin glaze and brush it over the cooled cookies. Let it dry for 1 hour, then store the cookies in an airtight tin.
Tips
- Let the honey mixture cool before adding the egg. A hot mixture would start to cook the egg and make the dough lumpy.
- Do not overbake. Take the cookies out while they are still pale golden. They firm up as they cool and soften again in the tin.
Questions and answers
How long do medovníky keep?
In an airtight tin they keep for 2 to 3 weeks. They are firm at first and become softer and more flavorful after 2 or 3 days.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling.
Can I fill medovníky with jam?
Yes. Sandwich two cookies with thick plum or apricot jam, then glaze the tops. Let them rest for a day so the cookies soften around the filling.
How long does it take to make Medovníky (Slovak Honey Spice Cookies)?
About 55 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Medovníky (Slovak Honey Spice Cookies)?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 23 g |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
