Don’t let that leftover kefir in your fridge go to waste! Instead, turn it into delicious homemade gingerbread cookies that will fill your home with nostalgic aromas reminiscent of childhood. This recipe, dating back to the 90s and passed down from generation to generation, promises cookies with a heavenly honey scent. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll be transported to a cozy kitchen filled with the warmth of freshly baked treats. Get ready to delight your taste buds with every bite!
Ingredients:
- 350 milliliters (1.5 cups) of kefir (or buttermilk)
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 egg yolks, 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon (slightly less) of baking soda
- Approximately 4 cups of flour
For the glaze:
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
Instructions:
- Beat the egg yolks with one egg white (reserve the other egg white for the glaze) and honey until creamy. Mix in the sugar.
- Pour this mixture into the kefir along with the vegetable oil. Beat lightly once again.
- Gradually add sifted flour mixed with baking soda (no need for vinegar, as kefir will activate the baking soda) and knead until you have a smooth dough.
- Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1 centimeter and cut out circles using cookie cutters or a small glass.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each cookie, and bake for 25 minutes at a temperature of 180-190 degrees Celsius (350-375 degrees Fahrenheit).
- While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze: whisk one egg white with 3 tablespoons of sugar until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not overbeat; stop once the egg whites turn white and the sugar dissolves.
- After 20-25 minutes, remove the cookies from the oven. Quickly brush them with the beaten egg white using a silicone brush.
- You can apply two layers of glaze, as I did, and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Remove the gingerbread cookies from the oven and transfer them to a serving plate.
- Homemade kefir gingerbread cookies with honey are ready to be enjoyed!
Enjoy your delicious homemade treats!
