Portuguese Holiday Biscuits

The confection itself is prepared with only five ingredients and the glaze on top is completely optional. Even still, the glaze is only two additional ingredients! Portuguese Holiday Biscuits are very easy to prepare; they are rustic and simple and the taste reminds me of the cookies we used to enjoy in the Christmases of my youth. These also make a great addition to a cookie gift box!

Many times when researching and testing recipes for Lord Byron’s Kitchen, I often run into questions about a recipe’s authenticity. This time around, before I even got to the testing stage in my kitchen, I reached out to my best friend, Margaret, to see if these Portuguese Holiday Biscuits were in fact Portuguese. She recognized them right away and said they are a favourite. So, with Margaret’s blessing and reassurance, I’m sharing this recipe with you, Dear Reader.

These cookies are the type that makes me crave a snowy afternoon – one where I’d sit in my recliner with a blanket over my lap, a cup of tea on the table beside me, and a good book in my hand. Some cultures celebrate and normalize the afternoon tea break or downtime, and I think they’re on to something! Oftentimes, I feel guilty about sitting down when there is always something that can be done around the house. For the past few years, however, I have enjoyed a quiet afternoon at least once a week. And, you should too!

I’m going to tell you all about this cookie recipe and how you can make it in your home this holiday season, but first, I want to tell you about what you can expect from Lord Byron’s Kitchen this Christmas. I know we’re getting closer to the big day, so it’s time to get to the cookie recipes! Before I get into today’s recipe, let me make mention of the three previous holiday confection countdowns that I just finished up this year.

No Bake Pecan Pie Truffles

And now, I’m starting on this new series, which is the seventh annual instalment! I cannot believe that this is the seventh year in a row that I’ve shared Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas! But, before we get to a list of ingredients and instructions for today’s recipe, let me tell you about this series and more!

LORD BYRON’S 24 COOKIES OF CHRISTMAS SERIES

Another holiday series, Lord Byron? Yes – why not!? Welcome, Dear Reader, to the fourth of my annual holiday recipe series for this season! This one is called Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas – Volume 7! I will try to keep the recipes in this series quick and easy, just like in previous years. Even if a recipe looks complex, I promise you that it is not! My goal, as always, is to share recipes with you that are not too complex to whip up as a holiday treat for your family.

Like every other holiday series I’ve shared over the years, this series will share a new recipe every day for the next 24 days – even on Saturday and Sunday! You might be asking yourself, how many Christmas recipes could one possibly have or need? Well, I say you can never have too much of a good thing. And, I love having lots of choices. Who wants to prepare the same holiday recipes year after year?

SUBSCRIBE NOW SO THAT YOU NEVER MISS OUT ON NEW RECIPES!

So, welcome, Dear Reader, to Lord Byron’s 24 Cookies of Christmas series! Even though this is the fourth series for this holiday season, you can always look back at previous years if you just cannot wait until the next recipe is published. Also, some of my favourite recipe collections from previous years are my 75 Homemade Gifts from Your Kitchen, my 50 Make Ahead Freezer Friendly Christmas Recipes, and my 30 No-Bake Christmas Recipes post.

You really don’t want to miss one of these recipes, so if you have not yet subscribed to Lord Byron’s Kitchen, I encourage you to do so. That way, a new recipe will be emailed to you every day. You won’t have to bother to come looking for it! Like in previous holiday recipe countdowns, I like to mix up the recipes in the series so that there is something for everyone. Are you ready!!??

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE

The following is a list of the ingredients needed to prepare this recipe. For exact amounts and measurements, refer to the printable recipe card located near the bottom of this post.

• Sugar – Sugar will caramelize when baked, which will help to brown cookies.  It will create a crispness to the bottom of the cookie.
• Butter – Make sure your butter is at room temperature! I have made these with both salted and unsalted butter and there’s no difference in taste or appearance once all is said and done. Use what you have on hand.
• Eggs – Whenever you set out to bake, make sure your eggs are at room temperature too – just like your butter!
• Flour – No need for anything special. Just use regular all-purpose flour. I have not tried this recipe with any other type of flour.
• Baking Powder
• Confectioner’s Sugar
• Milk
• Sprinkles

HOW TO MAKE PORTUGUESE HOLIDAY BISCUITS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the melted butter with the sugar until well mixed. Next, beat in the eggs. Add the flour and baking powder. Beat until a dough starts to form. Remove the dough from the bowl and set it on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough to bring it all together and to ensure it is smooth.

Portion out 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a log measuring 6 inches in length with a 1/2 inch thickness. Form an oval shape with the log, overlapping one end with the other. Push gently with your index finger to stick the ends together and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Continue until all of the dough is formed. Bake the biscuits for 20 minutes or until the outer edges are just lightly browned. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.

If you would like to apply the optional glaze, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and milk until well combined. Spoon the glaze over the biscuits (immediately top with sprinkles, if using) and allow the glaze to harden and firm before storing the biscuits in a food-safe container.

LET’S TALK SPRINKLES!

Where do you buy sprinkles?  Do you have a favourite vendor or brand?  A few Christmases back, I changed my sprinkle game.  I would always buy sprinkles from the baking supply section at Bulk Barn, but not anymore – no way!  Let me tell you how this all went down.

In November 2018, I was baking a few Christmas goodies and just could not source sprinkles that looked anything like what I was imagining in my head. John.e was on a major sprinkle hunt.  He used to work in close proximity to Michael’s, HomeSense, Winners, and Marshall’s.  He purchased at least ten different sprinkle colours, shapes, and brands.  But, I wasn’t impressed with any of them as much as I was with Sweetapolita.

After Christmas, I needed Valentine’s sprinkles, so I tracked down the brand and found their online store.  I ordered enough sprinkles to last a lifetime!  Shopping for sprinkles online might seem a little over the top, but I’ve never once pretended to shy away from getting what I want! For these Portuguese Holiday Biscuits, you can use any sprinkles really, but I do find that the smaller sprinkles work best. The elongated shape – like a miniature rod – they’re usually called Jimmies, or nonpareils (small balls) as great as well.

STORING, PACKAGING, & FREEZING

When it comes to most cookies, they taste best at room temperature, but they don’t hold up well to being left out on your countertop for a long time. Cookies will stay fresh in a cookie jar or food-safe container with a lid for 3-5 days if left to sit on your kitchen countertop. You can store them in a food-safe container in your fridge. When you want one, two, or half a dozen, take them out of the container and place them in a single layer on a plate. Let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes and they’re ready!

If you plan to freeze your Portuguese Holiday Biscuits, you certainly can! Pile them into a clean, food-safe container. The container must be freezer-friendly! You’ll want to ensure a very tight-fitting lid too. I use these quite often when freezing baked goods. I like to place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the container before pushing the lid on. This helps to create a better seal. The goal is to keep all of that freshness locked in!  

You can freeze these cookies for up to three months. If you plan to give previously frozen cookies as a gift, I would lay them out on a wire cooling rack to thaw completely. Once thawed, pile into cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon, or stack in a cookie tin/box.

QUESTIONS?

If I have not answered all of your questions in the text above, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! You can contact me by sending me a message in the comments section further down the page. I will try my best to answer as soon as possible! You might reach me even faster by following me on Facebook and sending me a private message. Scroll down below the recipe card to find my Follow Me on Social Media box and never miss another recipe!

Finally, as I stated previously, every day I will be posting a new recipe. If you miss one, don’t fret. You can find my entire collection of Christmas Recipes right here! There are over 200 Christmas recipes and counting. There’s something for everyone! Cheers!