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–+ servings
French Puffs
French Puffs are a mid-20th-century holiday cookie that blends buttery dough with finely ground chocolate and nuts, creating a tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Despite the name, these cookies reflect American home baking inspired by European chocolate confections rather than classic French pâtisserie. Rolled into small balls and baked briefly, they stay pale and delicate, then are finished with thin white powdered sugar icing and festive red-and-green decorations shaped like holly leaves and berries. Their understated sweetness and decorative finish made them popular on Christmas cookie trays, where appearance mattered just as much as flavor. French Puffs stand out for their simple ingredient list, quick bake time, and elegant presentation that turns a humble dough into a celebratory treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American, French
Servings 24
Calories 110 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup butter (softened)
  • ⅓ cup ground chocolate
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup nuts (finely chopped)
  • Thin white powdered sugar frosting (for decorating)
  • Red and green frosting (for decorations)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cream the Butter

  • In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth.

Step 2: Add Flavorings

  • Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

  • Add the ground chocolate, flour, and salt.
  • Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Add Nuts

  • Fold in the finely chopped nuts evenly.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

  • Roll the dough into small balls using your hands.

Step 6: Bake

  • Place on a baking sheet.
  • Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

  • Allow cookies to cool completely.
  • Decorate with thin white powdered sugar frosting.
  • Use red and green frosting and toothpicks to form holly leaves and berries.

Tips

  • Chill dough briefly if too soft to roll
  • Use walnuts or pecans for best texture
  • Roll in powdered sugar instead of frosting for a simpler finish
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth
  • Use dark chocolate for deeper flavor
  • Make smaller balls for bite-size cookies
  • Pipe decorations with a fine tip for detail
  • Store in a single layer to protect decorations

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1.5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 180IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.6mg
Keyword buttery, chocolate, festive dessert, holiday cookies, retro recipes, vintage baking
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