Grandma Sloboda’s Zazvorniki

 

Rich, traditional ginger cookies.

1/4 lb. butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
8 egg yolks
2 tsp. sour cream (optional)
4 heaping TB powdered ginger
5 Cups flour
2 TB baking powder
4 egg whites

Mix butter, sugar and egg yolks for 10 to 20 minutes or until a creamy, even texture (lemon-colored). In a separate bowl, sift ginger, flour and baking powder together and add to first mixture, stirring well with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be like fine bread crumbs. Beat egg whites until fluffy and fold into mixture along with the sour cream, if using. Mix well, using your hands to gently bring the mixture together to form a soft dough (do not knead). This will take some time, but the warmth of your hands will make the dough form a ball. Roll out on a floured board to 1/2 inch thick (we actually used a small amount of powdered sugar instead of flour). Cut with Zazvorniki cutter and let stand on a lightly greased baking sheet in the refrigerator overnight. If you don’t have a Zazvorniki cutter, any large cookie cutter will do. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes, then lower to 350° until lightly browned. They will also puff up slightly. Dust with powdered sugar and store in an airtight container.
Prep. time: 35-40 minutes plus overnight chilling
Baking time: 15 minutes per sheet
Yield: 3 dozen cookies