Pryaniki – Russian Honey Spice Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Pryaniki are traditional Russian honey spice cookies that bring warmth and comfort with every bite. These soft, fragrant treats are coated in a sweet glaze and are perfect for tea time or festive occasions.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup instant coffee
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon anise (ground or liquid extract)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, dissolve the instant coffee in the hot water.
2. Step 2: Add the butter, sugar, and honey to the coffee mixture. Heat over medium, stirring until the butter melts, sugar dissolves, and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl to cool for 10–15 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in all the spices – vanilla, allspice, nutmeg, and anise. You may also add cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, or mint extract if desired.
4. Step 4: Whisk in the eggs, baking soda dissolved in vinegar, and baking powder. The mixture will fizz slightly.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour, mixing with a large wooden spoon until fully incorporated into a dough.
6. Step 6: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Step 7: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Scoop the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls using a measuring scoop. Roll each ball between your hands to smooth it. Place them on the baking sheet, leaving space for spreading.
9. Step 9: Bake for 20–25 minutes until set but still soft. Do not overbake to keep them tender.
10. Step 10: While the cookies bake, whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a bowl to make the glaze. Add extracts like vanilla, mint, or almond for extra flavor if you like.
11. Step 11: After the cookies cool, dip each into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Set on a rack or parchment paper to dry. Once dry, flip and glaze the other side. Work quickly as the glaze thickens.
12. Step 12: Store the glazed cookies at room temperature in a sealed container.

Tips & Variations

• For richer flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom along with the listed spices.
• You can substitute honey with dark molasses for a deeper taste, but expect a slight change in texture.
• Use a splash of warm water to thin the glaze if it becomes too thick to dip easily.
• Resting the dough overnight improves the flavor and texture significantly.

Storage

Keep the pryaniki in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The cookies stay soft and flavorful. If you want to re-soften slightly hardened cookies, warm them briefly in a low oven. Avoid refrigeration, which can dry them out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Pryaniki without coffee?

The coffee adds a subtle depth of flavor but can be omitted or replaced with an equal amount of hot water if you prefer a milder taste.

How long should I let the dough rest?

At least 4 hours at room temperature, though overnight resting yields the best texture and richer flavors.

Pryaniki – Russian Honey Spice Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 113 reviews

Pryaniki are traditional Russian honey spice cookies known for their fragrant blend of spices and a sweet honey base. These soft yet slightly chewy cookies are glazed with a simple powdered sugar and milk icing, making them perfect for tea time or festive occasions. With spices like allspice, nutmeg, and anise, these cookies offer a warm, cozy flavor profile reminiscent of classic Eastern European treats.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes (including resting time)
• Yield: About 48 cookies (depending on cookie size) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Russian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup instant coffee
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon anise (ground or liquid extract)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 6 cups all purpose flour

For the Glaze

• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Prepare Coffee Base: In a medium saucepan, dissolve the instant coffee in the hot water, ensuring it is fully blended.
2. Cook Honey Mixture: Add butter, granulated sugar, and honey to the coffee mixture. Heat on medium, stirring constantly until the butter melts and sugar dissolves into a homogeneous mixture. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; let cool for 10-15 minutes.
3. Add Spices: Stir in vanilla extract, allspice, grated nutmeg, and anise. Optional: add cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, or mint extract for extra flavor complexity.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Leavening: Whisk in eggs, then add the baking soda dissolved in vinegar and baking powder. The mixture will fizz slightly as the leavening reacts.
5. Mix in Flour: Add the all-purpose flour gradually, stirring with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and flour is fully incorporated.
6. Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel; let it rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting period improves dough texture and flavor melding.
7. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Heat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Shape Cookies: Using a 1 Tablespoon measuring scoop, portion the dough into balls. Roll each ball gently between your hands to get uniformly sized cookies. Place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and tender.
10. Make the Glaze: While baking, whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a large bowl until smooth. Add flavor extracts like vanilla, mint, or almond if desired.
11. Glaze Cookies: Once cookies are cooled, dip each one into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place glazed cookies on a rack or parchment to dry. For even coating, flip cookies when glaze hardens and glaze the other side. Work quickly as the glaze can dry fast; thin with a splash of milk if needed.
12. Store: Keep the glazed pryaniki in an airtight container at room temperature to retain freshness.

Notes

• Resting the dough overnight enhances the flavors and texture of the cookies.
• Glaze can be flavored with different extracts to match personal taste preferences.
• Do not overbake; pryaniki should be soft rather than crunchy.
• Use precise measuring scoops for uniform cookie size and even baking.
• Additional warm spices such as cinnamon or cardamom can be added to the dough for a richer spice profile.

Keywords: Pryaniki, Russian cookies, honey spice cookies, traditional Russian dessert, honey cookies, spiced cookies, glazed cookies