Magda's Cauldron

I love recipes with a story. They are more interesting, more real and taste better. OK, maybe that’s just my imagination 😉

This is quite an old recipe. It comes from the magazine “As” from the year 1937. I like to imagine that my grandma was baking cookies from this recipe. I can’t ask her, but I know she would like them.

I found the recipe in Agnieszka’s Maciąg’s book “Smak życia” (“The Taste of Life”). The book was one of many wonderful surprises. I bought it in a bargain bookstore. I wasn’t really convinced, but its layout was nice. Agnieszka is a model and journalist and I’m really suspicious when it comes to stars’ cookbooks, especially ones written by slim, beautiful women. It’s hard to believe they actually like to eat. But luckily the book turned out charming. Simple recipes with interesting introductions and beautiful photos. I use many recipes out of this book, but I must admit that the cookie recipe is my favourite.

Grandma’s cookies
for 30-40 cookies

• 100 g granulated sugar
• 200 g cold butter, diced
• 300 g all purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp sour cream

For sprinkling

• 24 almonds, chopped finely (ground ones will be ok too)
• granulated sugar
• 1 egg white, beaten

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl whisk together the sugar and flour. Add the butter and sour cream. Knead the dough quickly.
Roll it to 1-cm thickness. Cut the cookies with a cutter or glass and place them on a baking sheet.
Using a pastry brush, brush the cookies with the egg white. Sprinkle the cookies with the sugar and almonds.
Bake for 12 minutes or until golden.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.