Nuss Stengel (Nut Finger Cookies)

The direct translation of these cookies are literally "Nut Fingers", and when I say fingers, yes, I am referring to fingers as in human fingers on a hand. Now I am assuming these cookies were named simply after their look, because they are rectangular and somehow if you squint your eyes and cock your head, look like fingers. My grandmother makes her "fingers" to be tall and slender as if creating a cookie for a supermodel. And I however, made my "fingers" short and fat as if creating a cookie for a stubby little person. Either way, they all resemble someones fingers, therefore being called Nuss Stengel (Nut Fingers). And we add the "nuss" in the beginning simply because these are a nut cookie and nuts are the main ingredient.

This is a simple nut cookie, and is simply delicious! The brushed egg yolk on top gives it a nice smooth glaze and pairs wonderfully with the creaminess of the butter and the nutty crunch from the ground walnuts. They are small and dainty, and nearly irresistible! It does not have an extravagant and over-the-top taste, which makes it a wonderful Christmas cookie that can go great with the many other cookies. Because honestly, when baking for Christmas, who would ever dare to only make ONE type of cookie? This is simple, easy to make, and flat out yummy!
Ingredients:
125 grams ground walnuts
125 grams butter softened
150 grams sugar
2 egg yolk
pinch of salt
180 grams flour
LETS COOK!
with an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and yolks. Then add salt. With a wooden spoon stir in flour until the mixture is "crumby". Then take your hands and form a ball of dough. Refrigerate and let cool and harden for easier handling when rolling out dough. Roll out on lightly floured surface to about a cm or so think(want cookies somewhat thin). With a knife, cut lines down the down as if you are creating rows. Then, at a diagonal cut across the dough (opposite way that you made the rows). Depending on how thick your rows are and how long your columns are will all depend if you prefer fat or skinny fingers. Ha! Place onto cookie sheet and brush the top with an egg yolk mixture. (Consists of one egg yolk and just a splash of water, but may need more for more cookies.) Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 min, or until golden on top. (you want your fingers to be made for someone tan and not so pale and sickly looking!)