Classic Christmas Czech cookie, I remember waiting till Christmas time to help make these delicious beehive cookies.  The great part about them is that there is no baking!  How great is that, my kids love to help me when I make these cookies, just like I did when I was little.  The mold for the beehive shape can be bought on amazon, when you search for beehive cookie mold.  It is a great little tool I was lucky enough to get one from my sister when she was in the Czech Republic.  Once I received the beehive mold I don’t wait until Christmas time to make them, but whenever I get a craving for them, which is awesome!  Since I used to have to wait until my grandma or mom would make them since they were the ones with the cookie mold.  The rum in this recipe is entirely up to you how much you prefer, if you don’t want it too strong you can put less, my recipe is actually on the lower side because I don’t like it too strong.  So you can even add more if you like.

Ingredients you will need…

• 50 mini vanilla wafers
• 3 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup rum
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2-3 tablespoons water

Filling…

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon rum
• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 1 organic egg yolk

Beehive cookie dough

1.)  Crush vanilla wafer cookies in a food processor, and measure out 3 1/2 cups then place into a bowl, set aside.

2.)  Beat butter until light and fluffy about 4-5 minutes, then add in the confectioners sugar and beat until incorporated.

3.)  Add in cocoa powder, mix, then add in the rum and mix again.

4.)  Next add in the vanilla wafer crumbs, and turn on mixer to low. And this is where you need to add water if it is too dry, it should be a little sticky, because if it is too dry you will not be able to shape the dough into the beehive mold. Please add in the water 1 tablespoon at a time, and after each addition turn mixer to medium speed for about 1-2 minutes to make sure the water is fully incorporated. Then decide if you need more water, because if you add to much water then the dough will not work.

5.)  Once you have the right texture, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in fridge for like 15-20 minutes.

6.)  Now it is time to mold the dough into the beehives, spoon a small amount into the molds till almost full, then insert the cone shape into the middle. Slowly remove the cone, and open up the beehive mold and the dough should wiggle out pretty easily. Place on a plate and make the rest.

7.)  Once done place in fridge for about 15 minutes, and in the meantime you can make the filling,

Cream filling

1.)  Start by beating the butter in a small bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.

2.)  Add the confectioners sugar and slowly combine with mixer.

3.)  Add in rum, condensed milk, and organic egg yolk, and beat until fully incorporated and fluffy.

Assembling the cookie

1.)  Now scoop the filling into a piping bag with any small sized tip, or just cut a hole in a zip lock bag, set aside. Place the mini vanilla wafers into a bowl.

2.)  Remove the beehive cookies from the fridge. Take the piping bag and pipe the filling into the beehive dough, and place on top of a mini vanilla wafer.

3.)  Repeat for all the cookies, then sprinkle the tops with confectioners sugar for a elegant look.