Letters To Santa Recipe

Introduction

These charming Letters To Santa cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Delicate yet flavorful, they combine cinnamon sugar, Nutella, and white chocolate in a beautifully folded pastry that looks like a tiny envelope.

There are seven square-shaped pastries folded to create envelope-like shapes with golden, crispy edges dusted with white powdered sugar. Each pastry has a smooth, dark brown chocolate chunk nestled in the center, partially covered by the folded dough. The pastries are arranged in a grid of four on top and three on the bottom, resting on a piece of lined paper with faint blue and pink lines and faint writing visible at the top and bottom edges. Each pastry envelope is sealed at the bottom tip with a small shiny silver ball. The scene is set on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 (14-oz.) refrigerated pie dough (for 2 crusts)
  • 1/2 c. (85 g.) white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 c. Nutella
  • 12 silver sugar pearls
  • 1 large egg
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one pie dough to an 11-inch round. Cut it into an 8-inch square, then cut that square into 4 equal smaller squares. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Reroll any scraps into another 8-inch square and cut out 4 more squares, for a total of 12 squares.
  2. Step 2: Place the white chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl and microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until melted and smooth—about 1 minute total.
  3. Step 3: Rotate each square so one corner points toward you. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over each. Place about 1 heaping teaspoon of Nutella in the center of each square. Fold the right and left corners toward the middle, then fold the bottom corner up to form an envelope shape. Lightly press edges to seal.
  4. Step 4: Dab a small amount of melted white chocolate at the center of the bottom fold. Gently press a silver sugar pearl into the chocolate to adhere. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F and position a rack in the center. Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush each cookie lightly with the egg wash.
  6. Step 6: Bake the cookies until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For a nut-free version, substitute the Nutella with a seed butter or fruit jam of your choice.
  • If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the cinnamon in the sugar mixture to 1 teaspoon.
  • To add more texture, sprinkle chopped nuts inside before folding the dough.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to one week. Reheat briefly in a warm oven for a few minutes to soften the Nutella filling before serving.

How to Serve

A white plate with a red rim holds five square-shaped pastries, each folded at the corners over a dark brown chocolate center, and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Each pastry has a small silver edible bead on one folded corner. Next to the pastries is a white bowl with a red rim, filled with milk that has a few bubbles on the surface. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pie dough for this recipe?

Yes, homemade pie dough works well and may give a flakier texture. Just ensure it is chilled before rolling out and cutting.

What can I do if I don’t have silver sugar pearls?

You can substitute with small sprinkles or leave them off altogether and still have beautiful and tasty cookies.

Print
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Letters To Santa Recipe


  • Author: Harry
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 pastries 1x

Description

Delightfully festive and charming Letters To Santa are flaky pastry envelopes filled with rich Nutella and adorned with melted white chocolate and silver sugar pearls. These sweet treats combine cinnamon sugar and a golden crust for perfect holiday gatherings or gift-giving.


Ingredients

Scale

Pastry and Filling

  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 (14-oz.) refrigerated pie dough (for 2 crusts)
  • 1/2 cup (85 g) white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 12 silver sugar pearls
  • 1 large egg
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar and Dough Squares: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out one pie dough to an 11-inch round. Cut the round dough into an 8-inch square, then cut that square into 4 equal smaller squares. Repeat the process with the second dough round. Reroll any scraps into an 8-inch square and cut out 4 additional squares to have a total of 12 squares.
  2. Melt White Chocolate: Place the white chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl and microwave in 20-second increments, stirring well after each burst. Continue until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, which should take about 1 minute.
  3. Assemble the Letters: Rotate each dough square so a corner is pointing toward you. Sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of Nutella in the center of each square. Fold the right and left corners of the square toward the center over the Nutella, then fold the bottom corner upwards to form an envelope shape. Press lightly to seal the edges. Dab some of the melted white chocolate in the center of the bottom fold, then gently press a silver sugar pearl into the chocolate to hold it in place. Place each assembled letter on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat Oven and Prepare Egg Wash: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, whisk the large egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this egg wash over the chilled dough envelopes to give them a glossy finish when baked.
  5. Bake the Cookies and Finish: Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and beautifully puffed. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust the tops lightly with confectioners’ sugar to add a magical snowy effect.

Notes

  • Use refrigerated pie dough for convenience, but you can also make your own pie crust if preferred.
  • Be gentle when folding the dough squares to avoid tearing the pastry.
  • Ensure the white chocolate is smoothly melted for easy application on the envelopes.
  • The silver sugar pearls are edible decorations; if unavailable, small candy beads or sprinkles are good substitutes.
  • Allow enough chilling time before baking to help the envelopes keep their shape.
  • These treats are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Letters To Santa, holiday cookies, Nutella pastries, white chocolate, festive dessert, Christmas treats, cinnamon sugar cookies

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