Swiss Sandwich Cookies (Spitzbuben)

A Taste of Home: My Grandmother's Swiss Spitzbuben

The aroma of warm, buttery cookies, a faint hint of vanilla and the sweet tang of raspberry and apricot jam – this is the scent of Christmas memories. It's a fragrance that transports me back to my childhood, to a time when letter writing was our primary link to my beloved grandmother in Switzerland. Every year, weeks before Christmas, a tin would arrive, brimming with her homemade Spitzbuben, small, delicate sandwich cookies that embodied the heart of Swiss tradition.

Opening that tin was an event. The kitchen would instantly transform, filled with the rich aroma of those exquisite cookies. It was more than just a treat; it was a tangible connection to my grandmother, a way to feel her presence even across the miles. These weren't just cookies; they were messages of love, carefully baked and lovingly sent.

Sadly, after my grandmother passed, the Spitzbuben disappeared from our Christmas celebrations. The tradition, seemingly broken, left a void that felt as empty as the cookie tin sitting forlornly on the shelf. Then, during a trip to Switzerland, a serendipitous discovery changed everything. While browsing through my aunt's recipe box, I stumbled upon my grandmother's handwritten recipe for the very cookies that held so many precious memories.

The joy of recreating these cookies was immeasurable. The familiar steps, the careful measuring, the anticipation of the golden-brown bake – it was like she was guiding my hands. That Christmas, the aroma once again filled our kitchen, and the feeling of her presence was stronger than ever. My father, who had grown up enjoying these cookies, was overwhelmed with emotion. It was more than just a sweet treat; it was a profound reconnection to his heritage and his mother. Now, every year, I send him a large tin, a symbol of our enduring bond and a testament to the power of tradition.

While my mother gently chides me about his waistline (a small price to pay for such happiness!), the sheer joy on his face makes it all worthwhile. These cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re a story, a legacy, and a delicious link to a beloved grandmother, carried on through generations. The simple act of baking, the careful layering of jam between delicate cookie rounds, is a ritual, a sacred practice that keeps her memory alive and fills our home with the comforting warmth of cherished traditions.

These Spitzbuben, with their delicate crunch and sweet and tart filling, are a testament to the enduring power of love, family, and the simple pleasures of homemade treats. They're a reminder that the best gifts are often the most heartfelt, and the most delicious memories are those shared around a table filled with laughter, love, and the delightful taste of home.

Step-by-step

• Make cookies:
• Sift together flour, confectioners sugar, vanilla powder, and salt.
• Heat butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Mix in flour mixture at low speed just until blended. Form dough into a disk and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Roll out dough slightly less than 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface and cut out 1 1/2-inch rounds.
• Arrange 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets. Reroll scraps once (cookies become tough if dough is worked too much).
• Whisk together powdered egg whites and water. Brush cookies with egg whites and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
• Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven until pale golden, 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.
• Fill cookies:
• Sandwich jam and preserves between unsugared sides of cookies, filling half with raspberry and half with apricot.