Celebrate the European predecessor to Groundhog Day with these little cuties. German immigrants in Pennsylvania carried on the tradition of Europe’s Hedgehog Day, substituting the more common groundhog.
—PAM GOODLET WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI
PREP: 30 MIN. • BAKE: 15 MIN./BATCH + COOLING • MAKES: 16 COOKIES
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup ground pecans
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
1/4 cup chocolate sprinkles
1. Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, pecans and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape 1 tablespoon of dough into a ball; pinch the dough to form a face. Repeat. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet.
2. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Holding a hedgehog cookie by the nose, spoon chocolate over the back (leave the face uncovered). Allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; immediately coat the wet chocolate with sprinkles.
4. With a toothpick dipped in chocolate, make two eyes and a dot on the nose. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.
FEBRUARY 2
HEDGEHOG DAY