Prairie Heart Cookies
Inspired by the cherished traditions of 'Little House on the Prairie,' these Prairie Heart Cookies are a delightful combination of shortbread and sugar cookies. With a golden exterior and a soft, snowy white interior, each bite brings a taste of nostalgic warmth. Originally part of Laura and Mary's Christmas stockings, these cookies make for a charming homemade gift or a sweet treat for festive occasions.
6
Servings
210
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
White Flour
1 1/2 cups (plus extra for dusting)
Granulated Sugar
1/3 cup (plus extra for dusting)
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon
Ground Nutmeg
1 pinch
Chilled Lard
1/4 cup (plus extra for greasing)
Cultured Buttermilk
1/3 cup
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly with lard.
2
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of white flour, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of ground nutmeg.
3
3. With cold fingers, gently rub 1/4 cup of chilled lard into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
4
4. Create a well in the center of the mixture and pour in 1/3 cup of cultured buttermilk. Using one hand, combine the ingredients until a soft dough forms.
5
5. Lightly dust your rolling surface with flour. Shape the dough into a ball and roll it out into an 8-inch circle.
6
6. Using a table knife dipped in flour, divide the circle into six equal wedges. Shape each wedge into a heart.
7
7. Arrange the heart-shaped dough pieces on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch.
8
8. Bake the hearts in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown.
9
9. Once out of the oven, immediately sprinkle the tops with extra granulated sugar. The warmth will cause the sugar crystals to melt slightly and adhere to the surface.
10
10. Allow the cookies to cool completely. For a traditional touch, wrap each cookie in blue tissue paper if gifting.
Nutrition Information
8.5g
Fat
29.5g
Carbs
2.83g
Protein
0.83g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Prairie Heart Cookies?
Prairie Heart Cookies are a delightful combination of shortbread and sugar cookies, known for their golden exterior and soft, snowy white interior.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
These cookies are inspired by the cherished traditions described in 'Little House on the Prairie,' specifically the cookies found in Laura and Mary's Christmas stockings.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to produce 6 heart-shaped cookies.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
What type of fat is used in Prairie Heart Cookies?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chilled lard, plus extra for greasing the baking sheet.
What kind of flour should be used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of white flour, plus extra for dusting your surface and knife.
What spices are included in the dough?
A pinch of ground nutmeg is added to provide a subtle, nostalgic warmth.
How do you prepare the baking sheet?
The baking sheet should be prepared by greasing it lightly with lard.
How should the lard be incorporated into the dry ingredients?
You should use cold fingers to gently rub the chilled lard into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
What liquid is used to bind the cookie dough?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of cultured buttermilk.
How do you form the cookie dough into a shape?
The dough should be shaped into a ball and then rolled out into an 8-inch circle on a floured surface.
How do you create the heart shapes?
Using a floured table knife, divide the 8-inch circle into six equal wedges and then shape each wedge into a heart.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
The hearts should be baked for 15 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown.
What should be done immediately after the cookies are removed from the oven?
Immediately sprinkle the tops with extra granulated sugar so the warmth melts the crystals slightly and helps them adhere.
What is a traditional way to gift these cookies?
For a traditional touch, you can wrap each cooled cookie in blue tissue paper.
How many calories are in one Prairie Heart Cookie?
Each cookie contains 210 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 8.5 grams of fat in each cookie.
How many carbohydrates are in each cookie?
Each cookie contains 29.5 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content of these cookies?
Each cookie provides 2.83 grams of protein.
How much fiber is in a serving?
Each cookie contains 0.83 grams of fiber.
What are the total number of ingredients needed?
The recipe requires 6 main ingredients: white flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground nutmeg, chilled lard, and cultured buttermilk.
Is baking soda used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
What type of sugar is used for the dough and topping?
The recipe uses granulated sugar.
Are these cookies suitable for Christmas?
Yes, they are described as a festive treat and were traditionally part of Christmas stockings.
What texture should the dough have before rolling?
The dough should be soft but firm enough to be shaped into a ball.
Can I bake these cookies together on one sheet?
Yes, you can arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, just ensure they do not touch each other.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 425°F and grease your baking sheet.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include cookies, heart-shaped, dessert, little house on the prairie, christmas, nostalgic, baked goods, and pastry.
Why is cultured buttermilk used?
Cultured buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to help the cookies puff up and provides a soft interior texture.
Do these cookies have a specific internal color?
Yes, they are designed to have a snowy white interior.