Orehovi Kifelčki (Slovenian Walnut Cookies) Made Magic

Turns out a little walnut actually adds quite a bit in the way of flavor—and magic.

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So, for Slovenians, walnuts are big. In pastries like our classic potica, it's the main attraction—and according to Vlasta Mlakar in her book Sacred Plants in Folk Medicine & Ritual: Ethnobotany of Slovenia, not only was it identified as a key ingredient in things like wedding pogača and potica, but also a magical thing that could ensure fertility and abundance.

No matter how one thinks of the food they eat, one thing is certain: every culture has had their medicinal ideas of food, and, of course, their spiritual ideas of food. And with the holidays pretty much on top of us already, I think it's time we pull out another Christmas cookie recipe that's delicious on its own or perfect with a cup of coffee or tea: Orehovi Kifelčki.

With a blend of vanilla, wheat, walnut, and butter, these cookies are bound to bring some good feelings into your cookie lineup (along with Medenjaki and Linzer Plaetzchen), so let's get into it.

Magic in Orehovi Kifelčki

As I was saying, walnut (and other nuts like hazelnut) were identified as things that could bring fertility and abundance, especially to married couples at weddings. Walnuts were also given as gifts to the young boys playing Green George (Saint George) during springtime festivals. They're hearty, rich, and filling little nuts, cheerful and so good in pastries, and all the more powerful depending on what other ingredients you have to support them.

This kind of cookie here, too, is the more classic, easy, yet still festive type we'll see around the holidays: a delicious sugar cookie with a little extra flavor from those walnuts. And with the rest of the ingredients to support it, you have a cookie that's perfect for the holidays: one bringing wealth, abundance, healing, love, and ease. The walnuts' fiery association with the sun, as well as all of the Moon's and Venus's water and earth based energy, means you'll also have the grounding and emotional space to heal, too. Add these to your Christmas cookie lineup this year!

Orehovi Kifelčki

Prep time: 60-90 minutes

Cook time: 10-25 minutes

Makes 6-8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 620g (5ish cups) flour

• 320g (1 1/2 cups) sugar

• 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 2tsp sugar & 2tsp vanilla)

• 180g (1 1/2ish cups) ground walnut

• 400g (3 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 1 egg yolk

• egg white/water for wash

• Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Cream softened butter and sugar into a bowl.

2. Add egg and egg yolk, then beat together until mixed.

3. Add ground walnut, then beat until fully incorporated.

4. Slowly add flour and mix until all is incorporated, then knead until no dry flour is left.

5. Cover and let sit in the fridge for 30-60min.

6. Preheat the oven to 350.

7. Take pieces of dough and roll and shape them into crescents, then lay on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

8. Bake until golden brown at the edges (depending on how thick you make them, this could be anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes).

Definitely give these a whirl! Quick, easy, and delicious: that's what we all want a cookie.