At our house, it wouldn't be Christmas without these Pennsylvania Dutch cookies, which are known locally as kiffels. —Sharon Allen, Allentown, Pennsylvania
In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, egg yolks and flour; beat until smooth. Shape into 1-in. balls; place in a container with waxed paper separating each layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
For filling, combine walnuts and 3-3/4 cups sugar (the mixture will be dry). In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into nut mixture. Add extracts and a few drops of water if necessary until filling reaches a spreading consistency.
Place remaining sugar in a bowl; roll cream cheese balls in sugar until completely covered. Place a few balls at a time between two sheets of waxed paper.
Roll balls into 2-1/2-in. circles. Gently spread about 2 teaspoons of filling over each. Roll up; place seam side down on ungreased baking sheets. Curve the ends slightly. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
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drjudit
Dec 12, 2013
These cookies are "IT" for my family, I have to make it for Christmas. My husband will request these instead of gifts. Yes, they take time to make, but well worth it. I make the dough balls a little bigger, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You do not have to make them a day ahead. However need to chill them a little, so they are easier to work with. I roll them out to about 5" diameter circles, so the walnut filling fits in there just right. As long as the seams are on the cookie sheet and the ends curved in, they won't leak out. They are really good with coffee the next morning, if you have any left over.
lindamoo
Dec 9, 2013
Great tasting, but so time consuming. Does anyone else have issues with the filling coming out the ends and burning to the pan? Should I be pinching the ends closed? Can I make these in a tassie pan instead?
lateshift32
Jul 30, 2013
Don't try this unless you are cooking for an army with patience to match. Lots of time and money for a poor result.
tjmedellin
Feb 8, 2011
Very good! I have been making this since I first got the recipe from TOH years ago. I make it every Christmas. I tend to use less filling and thus I cut the recipe for that in half. One of our favorites.
crazyquiltmom
Dec 25, 2010
This recipe is very labor intensive but soooo tasty, especially on the 2nd day. The crust is light & flaky; the filling is sweet & flavorful. Perfect for Christmas!
mercyangel8
Dec 9, 2010
VERY fattening- but OH SO GOOD! Sweet, delicate with a moist, nutty interior. Slightly crisp on the outside. Made half batch to start with and my husband liked them so much they were gone in 2 days! Will make a full batch for Christmas!
Reviews
These cookies are "IT" for my family, I have to make it for Christmas. My husband will request these instead of gifts. Yes, they take time to make, but well worth it. I make the dough balls a little bigger, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You do not have to make them a day ahead. However need to chill them a little, so they are easier to work with. I roll them out to about 5" diameter circles, so the walnut filling fits in there just right. As long as the seams are on the cookie sheet and the ends curved in, they won't leak out. They are really good with coffee the next morning, if you have any left over.
Great tasting, but so time consuming. Does anyone else have issues with the filling coming out the ends and burning to the pan? Should I be pinching the ends closed? Can I make these in a tassie pan instead?
Don't try this unless you are cooking for an army with patience to match. Lots of time and money for a poor result.
Very good! I have been making this since I first got the recipe from TOH years ago. I make it every Christmas. I tend to use less filling and thus I cut the recipe for that in half. One of our favorites.
This recipe is very labor intensive but soooo tasty, especially on the 2nd day. The crust is light & flaky; the filling is sweet & flavorful. Perfect for Christmas!
VERY fattening- but OH SO GOOD! Sweet, delicate with a moist, nutty interior. Slightly crisp on the outside. Made half batch to start with and my husband liked them so much they were gone in 2 days! Will make a full batch for Christmas!
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