cookie bakers -- do you know this cookie?

[grasswire]

A winter cookie in the shape of a deer; white enrobed or white dough?

I'm trying to track this down. Could be Scandinavian in origin.

[tigereye]

1. hmm, this website might help- interesting either way!

http://www.scandinavianchristmastraditions.com/cookies.html

[eleny]

2. Could they be the white cookies for the Feast of Rozhanitsa?

From Wikipedia
"Rozhanitsa Feast (12th century Eastern Slavic Russian)

In 12th century Russia, the eastern Slavs worshiped the winter mother goddess, Rozhnitsa, offering bloodless sacrifices like honey, bread and cheese. Bright colored winter embroideries depicting the antlered goddess were made to honor the Feast of Rozhanitsa in late December. And white, deer-shaped cookies were given as lucky gifts. Some Russian women continued the observation of these traditions into the 20th century."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

[grasswire]

4. that's it!

Awesome! Maybe I can find a recipe.

Thanks.

[housewolf]

3. I can't find anything

Either on the internet or in my Scandinavian baking books. You might try posting on http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/31, there might be someone there who knows something about them. Or try to find Scandinavian blogs, food forums, etc where you might find some help.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[grasswire]

5. the problem was searching for scandinavian

once that was eliminated, it turned up. Thanks for trying, and thanks for your contributions here!

[housewolf]

6. You're welcome!

Are you willing to share what you found?

[grasswire]

7. I didn't find any recipes

Just a lot of citations for the feast and its relationship to winter solstice and the "white deer cookies" that were traditional. I did see one place where they were called "white reindeer cookies" No recipe. Someone in the 12th century forgot to write it down. We'll have to wing it. At least reindeer cookie cutter should be easy to find.

[housewolf]

8. That's kind of the conclusion I came to, too

The Scandinavian reindeer image has been quite popular in recent years. I imagine any cut-out cookie recipe would work for the cookies. If it's a butter cookie recipe, white icing would provide the whiteness. Or Crisco for a whiter, but less flavorful cookie. Then some blend of flavorings could provide a more unique/interesting flavor.