Vanilice (Serbian Vanilla Jam Sandwich Cookies)
Local name: ванилице
In short: Crumbly, buttery little cookies sandwiched with apricot or plum jam and dusted with vanilla sugar. A holiday baking tradition in Serbian homes. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 15 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 15
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Vanilice are small shortbread-like cookies sandwiched with jam and dusted with vanilla sugar. They fill the cookie jar in Serbian homes, and big batches are baked before Christmas, Easter and family feast days. The dough is simple, rich with butter and crumbly, and the jam adds a tart, fruity contrast. The cookies soften as they sit with the jam, so give them a day before eating.
Instructions
- Rub the butter into the flour, icing sugar and salt with your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add the yolks and vanilla and knead quickly into a smooth dough, adding the milk only if it is dry. Do not overwork it.
- Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it and chill for 1 hour.
- Heat the oven to 170°C (340°F) and line two trays with baking paper.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 3 mm (1/8 in) thick. Cut rounds with a 6 cm (2 1/2 in) cutter, re-rolling the scraps, and set them 2 cm (3/4 in) apart on the trays.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are pale gold. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
- Warm the jam in a small pan until spreadable. Spread a thin layer (about 5 g) on half of the cookies and top with the rest, pressing gently.
- Dust generously with the icing sugar mixed with vanilla sugar. Store in a tin for a day before eating.
Tips
- Use a thick jam. Runny jam seeps out of the cookies, so simmer a loose jam for a few minutes to thicken it and let it cool.
- For a nutty version, replace 50 g (1/2 cup) of the flour with finely ground walnuts or almonds.
Questions and answers
How long do vanilice keep?
In an airtight tin they keep for 10 days. They are at their best after 1 or 2 days, when the jam has softened the cookies slightly.
Can I freeze vanilice dough?
Yes. Wrap the disk tightly and freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling.
Why is my vanilice dough crumbly?
It is either too dry or overworked. Knead in a teaspoon of cold milk, work quickly, and chill the dough before rolling so the butter stays firm.
How long does it take to make Vanilice (Serbian Vanilla Jam Sandwich Cookies)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vanilice (Serbian Vanilla Jam Sandwich Cookies)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
