Amoniaczki are Polish ammonia cookies that turn light and crispy. Bringing back childhood memories, these buttery amoniaczki cookies are fun to make with kids too!
Memories Of Amoniaczki & My Babcia Marysia
I wanted to bake these ammonia cookies for some time. When planning my birthday party menu, I thought amoniaczki will make a perfect dessert!
On Saturday afternoon, when my toddler son was taking a nap, I started to make the cookies with my older daughter. When I opened up a package of baker’s ammonia, I had a flashback of my childhood.
It’s unbelievable how a single thing can take you back in time… The smell of baker’s ammonia took me to my grandma’s (babcia Marysia) kitchen. I was helping babcia making amoniaczki.
She took a small jar of baker’s ammonia and let me smell it. It was so strong that I was surprised that adding this to the cookies will make them taste good. But they were amazing. They were my grandma’s specialty.
Babcia Marysia is now 82 years old. She was a guest at my birthday party. When she tasted the cookies, she was so content! She said she totally forgot about the recipe and asked ME to write it down for her.
I handwrote a recipe for her reminding her that SHE was the one who taught me how to make these ammonia cookies. It’s amazing how life comes to full circle. I am so happy to still enjoy the special moments with my grandma. I am grateful she is still here, I do love her so much!
What Are Polish Ammonia Cookies?
Amoniaczki are cookies made using baker’s ammonia instead of yeast, baking soda, or baking powder. Also called ciasteczka amoniaczki, or ciasteczka na niedzielÄ™, these cookies are crisper and lighter than cookies made with other leavening agents. And since the baker’s ammonia evaporates while baking, they also do not taste of ammonia at all.
In fact, in many 17th-century European countries, in the days before baking powder, baker’s ammonia was already used for baking.
These cookies made with amoniak have been on the Polish list of traditional products since 22 August 2014. The tradition was brought to Kashubia in the Pomerian region after World War II by all the families that came from Lublin.
These families would bake bread first and then bake the cookies in the already heated oven. It was a popular dish for Sundays, holidays, and other celebrations. Over time the other local Pomeranian families adopted the tradition of baking amoniaczki.
How To Make Amoniaczki
Separate egg whites from egg yolks. Leave aside the egg whites and half the sugar.
Knead the dough using all the remaining ingredients. Roll out the dough on a floured board and make cookies using cutters.
Line a baking tray and place the cookies on it. Brush the cookies with egg whites and sprinkle with the sugar that was set aside.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size. Allow them to cool before eating so that the rest of the baker’s ammonia disappears.
Tips For Making Polish Amoniaczki Cookies
- Do not make the cookies too thick.
- Don’t worry about the smell of baker’s ammonia. It will disappear after the cookies are cool.
- You can sprinkle the cookies with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, caster sugar, or regular sugar before baking.
- Ammonia cookies can also be brushed with a layer of jam.
- Add a few drops of vanilla essence for some flavor.
- Ammonia cookies are the perfect cookies to make with your kids at home.
- When topped with sugar, they’re perfect for birthdays or Christmas.
FAQs About Amoniaczki Polish Ammonia Cookies
What Are The Other Names For Amoniak?
Ammoniak or Baker’s Ammonia is also called Ammonium Carbonate, Baker’s Salt, or Hartshorn.
Ammonia Smells A Lot? Will The Cookies Smell?
Ammoniak or ammonium carbonate breaks down to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ammonia while cooking. So although the smell of ammonia is very strong while you are baking, it will disappear once the cookies have cooled down, and they will taste very buttery.
How To Store Baker’s Ammonia?
Baker’s ammonia evaporates when exposed to air, so it’s important to store it in a glass airtight jar.
Can We Use Ammonia For Baking Cakes?
No, baker’s ammonia has no place to escape through cakes. So it will not work and the cake will taste bitter. Ammonia should only be used to bake thin crisp cookies.
Which Shapes Should I Use For Making Ammonia Cookies?
You can use cookie cutters of any shape that you like, round, square, stars, crescents, or more. Only make sure that the cookies are not too thick or the ammonia will not evaporate.
How To Store Polish Amoniaczki Cookies?
Store the amoniaczki in an airtight jar and finish in 3 to 4 days.
Amoniaczki Polish Ammonia Cookies Recipe
Polish Ammonia Cookies Recipe Amoniaczki
Amoniaczki are Polish ammonia cookies that turn light and crispy. Bringing back memories of childhood in Poland, these buttery amoniaczki cookies are fun to make with kids too!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsps of sour cream
- ½ tsp of baker's ammonia
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 stick (110g) of butter
- ½ cup of sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C).
- Separate egg whites from egg yolks.
- Knead the dough using ½ cup of sugar, egg yolks, flour, butter, sour cream, and baker's ammonia. Leave the second half of sugar and egg whites for later.
- Roll out the dough on a floured pastry board. Choose the thickness of your choice. Remember that the cookies will grow a bit while baking.
- Cut out the cookies using cookie cutters of your choice.
- Place the cookies on the baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the cookies with egg whites and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
Notes
Ammonia has a strong smell that you will feel during baking. It will disappear after baking.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 53Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
These data are indicative and calculated by Nutritionix
Pin For Later:
Did you like this amoniaczki Polish ammonia cookies recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
