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    Where Is My Spoon > Sweet Recipes > Cookies

    German Heidesand Cookies

    Published by: Adina December 4, 2021 27 Comments

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    pinterest image of christmas cookies on a white background with title in the middle.

    Heidesand or heath sand cookies are traditional German shortcrust cookies rolled in sugar, sliced, and baked. Really simple but really good.

    Jump to Recipe
    sugar crusted cookies scattered on a white cloth on the table.

    Heidesand cookies were probably the first cookies I had many years ago when I first came to Germany and had my first Christmas here. My husband's grandmother, who still lived in the house, used to make lots of different but all very traditional German Cookies every December. She would pack them in tins and keep them all through the holiday season; we would still get to eat some in January.

    Why will you love this recipe?

    • Traditional: You will get a taste of Germany, a country famous for its baked goods. And while you're at it, try the Black Forest Cake as well; it can hardly get more German than that when it comes to baking.
    • Original: Just the way Oma used to make Heidesand cookies.
    • Easy: Stir a few ingredients, slice, and bake.

    What do you need?

    bowls with ingredients for making german shortcrust cookies.
    • Butter: use unsalted butter.
    • All-purpose flour: make sure you measure it correctly.
    • Sugar: Two kinds of sugar: icing sugar for the dough and granulated sugar for the coating. You can sub the granulated sugar with pearl sugar if you can get it.
    • Marzipan paste: a small amount, about the size of a walnut. I love the flavor they add to the heidesand cookies. And not only taste, but it also makes the dough stable and easier to work with.
    • Vanilla: Typically, you would use vanilla sugar, which is very common in Germany, it comes in small packets, and it costs almost nothing. However, if it's not available where you live, replace it with ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
    • Lemon: You will need some of the zest for flavoring the dough. Make sure you use an organic, unwaxed, and well-washed lemon.

    How to make the cookies?

    • Dough: Beat soft butter, icing sugar, grated marzipan, vanilla sugar or extract, and lemon zest until creamy (1,2).
    collage of two pictures of making cookie dough in a bowl.
    • Sieve the flour over the mixture and combine (3).
    • Roll: Form a long pastry roll, about 4 cm/ 1.6 inch thick. Halve the roll, wrap each half in plastic foil and refrigerate for several hours or overnight (4).
    collage of two pictures of cookie dough ball and then formed in a roll.
    • Preheat the oven before you start slicing the heidesand cookies. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Coat: Beat the egg yolk in a small bowl. Place the sugar on a small plate. Brush the dough rolls with the egg yolk (5) and turn them into granulated sugar to coat all over (6).
    collage of two pictures of brushing dough roll with egg and coating in sugar.
    • Slice into 0.2 inch/ ½ cm pieces. Place on the prepared baking tray (7).
    • Bake for about 10-15 minutes until the cookies are golden (8).
    collage of two pictures of a sliced dough roll and baked cookies on a baking sheet.

    Expert Tips and FAQ

    Best tip: Baking is a science, and it requires precise measurements. Measuring by volume can produce such different results, especially when it comes to flour and butter. And if you use those inaccurate amounts, you're more likely to get inaccurate results. A kitchen scale will give you the most precise measure ensuring the best bake possible (Amazon affiliate link).

    Shape: The dough rolls will flatten slightly while they rest in the refrigerator. To help them be as round as possible, roll them carefully on the working surface again before unwrapping them. Don't press them too much; just do it gently to help them get in shape again.

    Marzipan: Use the leftover marzipan to make more cookies like these German Walnut Marzipan Cookies or the Marzipan Pastries. Or try this 2-Ingredient Cake.

    Vanilla sugar: You can also make vanilla sugar yourself; read the instructions found in this post for Vanillekipferl Cookies.

    traditional german heidesand cookies on a white cloth and a christmas bubble.

    Recipe FAQ

    Do I need brown butter?

    Many Heidesand recipes use brown butter. Of course, the cookies will be delicious, but I prefer this version. I think the flavor is better and making the cookies is less of a hassle if you don't have to brown the butter.

    Can I make Heidesand cookies ahead?

    You can make the dough 2-3 days in advance and keep it well wrapped in the fridge.
    The German Heidesand cookies themselves can be made in advance as well; they will keep well for at least a week.

    How to store?

    Room temperature: Keep in airtight containers (cookie tins). As mentioned above, they will keep for at least one week.
    Freezer: You can also freeze them for 3-6 months, but I never bothered. This is a relatively small batch, and they will be gone before you know it.

    round cookies coated with sugar on a white fabric.

    More traditional German cookie recipes:

    • German Butter Cookies
    • Spitzbuben
    • German Hazelnut Macaroons
    • Classic Thumbprint Cookies
    • Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    • Coconut Cookie Recipe

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!
    round cookies coated with sugar on a white fabric.

    German Heidesand Cookies

    Heidesand or heath sand cookies are traditional German shortcrustcookies rolled in sugar, sliced, and baked. Really simple but really good.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Cookies
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes minutes
    Servings: 35
    Calories: 77kcal
    Author: Adina
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    Ingredients 

    • 100 g soft unsalted butter 3.5 oz/ scant ½ cup (Note 1)
    • 50 g icing sugar 1.7 oz/ ½ cup
    • 25 g marzipan paste 0.8 oz/ ¼ cup (grated and loosely packed)
    • 1 sachet vanilla sugar or ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (Note 2)
    • 1 organic lemon only the zest
    • 125 g all-purpose flour 4.4 oz/ 1 cup
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar

    Instructions

    • Pastry: Mix the soft butter, icing sugar, grated marzipan paste, vanilla sugar, or extract and grated lemon zest using a handheld mixer. The mixture should get creamy. Sieve the flour over this mixture and incorporate it. Form a long pastry roll, about 4 cm/ 1.6 inch thick. Halve the roll, wrap each half in plastic wrap.
    • Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
    • Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius/ 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
    • Cut cookies: Whisk the egg yolk with a fork and brush the pastry rolls all over. Place the granulated sugar on a plate and toss the roll to coat in sugar. Cut the rolls into ½ cm/ 0.2 inch slices. Place the pastry slices on the prepared baking trays.
    • Bake for about 10-15 minutes until the cookies are golden.

    Notes

    1. Always use a digital kitchen scale in baking; it ensures the best results (Amazon affiliate link).
    2. Typically you would use vanilla sugar, which is very common in Germany. However, if it's not available where you live, replace it with ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 22mg | Sugar: 8g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. grace says

      December 21, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      i like your addition of lemon zest--it's a great way to add some zip and freshness!

      Reply
    2. Adina says

      December 21, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      Exactly, Grace, and I really love that. Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
    3. Kate says

      December 21, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Yum! Those sound heavenly. I would like to make some, but for us in the US, how much sugar is one sachet? Happy Holidays Adina!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 21, 2015 at 5:36 pm

        About two teaspoons, Kate.

        Reply
    4. Heidi Kokborg says

      December 21, 2015 at 5:27 pm

      These cookies look really good 🙂

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 21, 2015 at 5:39 pm

        Thank you, Heidi.

        Reply
    5. Evi @ greenevi says

      December 21, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      I have heard of these cookies, but never tried them before. They look so pretty and delicious, love your festive pictures! 🙂

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 21, 2015 at 5:50 pm

        You should try them, they are really good, and I am sure you could make them with margarine. 🙂

        Reply
    6. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

      December 21, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      How is it that I've never heard of these, they sound wonderful! I love classic cookies, they're always the best, and the brown butter thing has got me very intrigued!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:50 am

        I love "classics" too and there are so many around here, I haven't yet tried them all. But I am perseverent!

        Reply
    7. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 21, 2015 at 6:24 pm

      Heidesand is one of my all-time favorite Christmas cookies! My mom and I make them every year and they're something I always look forward to. Yours look perfect!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:51 am

        Thank you, Kimberly. 🙂 Nice that you can do that with your mom.

        Reply
    8. Meghan | Fox and Briar says

      December 21, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      I love the flavors that you have added here, the lemon zest and marzipan sound lovely!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:53 am

        Thank you, Meghan.

        Reply
    9. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

      December 21, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      Nothing better than a simple butter cookie! The lemon zest must make them taste fabulous!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:54 am

        I love the lemon zest in these. Thank you.

        Reply
    10. Nancy J. Williams says

      December 22, 2015 at 3:40 am

      Wow, great idea, love this post!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 22, 2015 at 9:07 am

        🙂

        Reply
    11. Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says

      December 22, 2015 at 1:46 pm

      Your last couple of cookie recipes look so scrumptious! I'd just love to sit in your kitchen, sip on tea, chat, and eat up all your cookies! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

      December 22, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      What a lovely little cookie. I love that it is a family favorite. There's nothing better than an old family recipe...and there's nothing wrong with changing it just a bit!

      Reply
    13. Chris Scheuer says

      December 23, 2015 at 1:16 am

      I think the simplest cookies are often the best. These sound wonderful Adina! Have a Merry Christmas!

      Reply
    14. Monica says

      December 23, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      These look perfectly beautiful. The touch of marzipan paste and lemon sound wonderful. Have a wonderful holiday!!

      Reply
    15. marcela says

      December 29, 2015 at 1:29 am

      OMG! So perfect! I love these cookies!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 30, 2015 at 8:36 am

        Thank you, Marcela.

        Reply
    16. Sydney F. Jenkins says

      April 06, 2017 at 8:45 pm

      HELP! i followed the recipe exactly and my cookies melted into one great big pool and baked. It is like one giant oily cookie. I think the recipe has too much butter. It calls for 1/2 cup which is 8 Tablespoons. What happened? Thank you.

      Reply
    17. Sydney F. Jenkins says

      April 06, 2017 at 8:52 pm

      I think I just solved my own problem (previous comment)! I apparently used 1/2 cup flour + 1tsp instead of 1 CUP ! duh!!!

      I'll try again. Thanks!

      Reply
    18. Adina says

      April 06, 2017 at 9:06 pm

      Oh, sorry about that, Sydney, such things happen.... I was just checking the quantities again, but I am glad you found the problem. I hope you try the cookies again.

      Reply

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