Description
Mom’s Pryaniki with Mint Glaze is a traditional Russian spice cookie recipe featuring a soft, honey and spice-infused dough topped with a refreshing mint glaze. This comforting treat combines warm flavors like cinnamon and cloves with the bright herbal notes of mint, making it perfect for festive occasions or cozy afternoons with tea.
Ingredients
For the Pryaniki Cookies
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
For the Mint Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 2–3 tbsp hot water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a saucepan over low heat, gently melt the honey, butter, and sugar together until fully combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg, then add the cooled honey mixture and stir well.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but keep it soft.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and let the flavors meld.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are just set and lightly golden on the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Mint Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Stir in hot water a tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. Add lemon juice for brightness and mix well.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the pryaniki cookies are fully cooled, drizzle or spread the mint glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger mint flavor, steep the mint leaves in the hot water for 10 minutes before adding to the powdered sugar.
- The dough can be made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight for deeper flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies pair beautifully with black tea or coffee.
