#pryaniki

Pryaniki (Russian Honey Spice cookies) What You'll Need For the Cookie Dough:

3 cups/450g  flour (all-purpose)

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cloves (or to taste)

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 large egg yolks  (Use leftover egg whites in this recipe)

1 large egg

3 ounces/40g butter (unsalted, melted)

3/4 cup/265g honey or ​agave syrup

For the Glaze:

1/2 cup/110g sugar (confectioners')

1 to 2 tablespoons water

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves (be careful with the cloves -- too much can produce a bitter taste), nutmeg and allspice, if using, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large bowl, beat together 2 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, melted butter, and honey or agave syrup. If using agave, bake 25 degrees lower because products brown faster. In this case, bake at 325 F instead of 350 F when using honey.

Mix in the dry ingredients until well incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 F. Place parchment paper the size of your cookie sheets on a clean surface. Using a cookie scoop, portion out mounds of dough and roll them in your hands until they are a completely smooth ball. Place on the prepared cookie sheets leaving 2 inches between each cookie. They will flatten out somewhat but still retain a domed shape.

Bake for 10 to 20 minutes, or until just golden, rotating the sheets halfway through for even baking. Cool on the sheets until the cookies firm slightly. Transfer to racks to finish cooling.