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Spiced Danish Brunkager Brown Cookies

Warm, spiced, and deeply comforting, these cookies are perfect for holiday gift tins and family gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 42 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Danish, European
Calories: 54

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Use fresh, good-quality butter for best results.
  • 1/4 cup packed soft brown sugar Can be substituted with dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • 1/3 cup golden syrup or light corn syrup Maple syrup can be used as a substitute.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Light brown rice flour can be used for a gluten-free option.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda Acts as a leavening agent.
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon Provides warm spice flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Adds a zesty warmth.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves Use less for milder spice profile.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice Can be adjusted depending on preference.
  • 1/2 cup whole raw almonds, skins on Can substitute with chopped hazelnuts, pecans, or pistachios.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 390°F (or 355°F for a convection oven) and line three baking trays with parchment paper.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and syrup until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, and almonds.
  4. Pour the warm butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft, thick dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and shape them into logs. Chill until very firm, at least 1 hour in the fridge or 30 to 60 minutes in the freezer.
  6. After chilling, unwrap a log and shape it into a rectangle about 1.5 to 2 inches wide, then slice into pieces approximately 1/6 inch thick.
Baking
  1. Place cookie slices on trays with space between them and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, watching closely until the edges just darken.
  2. Cool cookies on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to finish cooling.
Storage
  1. Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
  2. For longer storage, freeze the dough or baked cookies for up to 2 months. Wrap the dough tightly before freezing.

Notes

Watch out for overheating the butter mixture and ensure the dough is chilled properly before slicing. Enjoy these cookies with tea or coffee.