I found out about these authentic Lithuanian cookies from two Lithuanian girls, Gierdre and Gerda. They were working at the guest house I stayed in this summer. The two young women were part of an exchange program at Chautauqua Institution. I met up with them one evening when I ran down to the kitchen to get a hard cider.
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As soon as I found out where they were from, I asked them for recipes from their country. They were very intrigued by the blog. I discovered the next day that one of them had already done a Facebook like on my page. How nice!
This recipe for authentic Lithuanian cookies is so easy.
When I asked them about an easy dessert recipe, they both laughed and said "Tinginys", almost in tandem. The name, they said, means lazy man, because the recipe is indeed extremely simple to make. They told me the recipe has been popular in Lithuania for many years.
To make these cookies you only need 8 ingredients. That's it! And, better yet they requires no baking. Now we are talking!
One word of warning though: If at all possible, use European butter. The reason for this? European butter has a higher fat content than American butter. This allows not only for more flavor, but for the mixture to solidify better.
I made the cookies a few weeks ago , and took some into my office on Monday. They were devoured. Of course, they are such an easy crowd to please, especially on a Monday.
Also, for the cookies.... buy McVities
, or if you can find Gaidelis, even better.
Just a little historical note: McVities® were first developed by two Scottish doctors, supposedly to aid digestion. The original cookies (biscuits, if you are European) had sodium bicarbonate as an ingredient.
Make this easy dessert when you need to take something to a party and are pressed for time.
Here are the visual steps to make perfect tiginys
- Crumble the digestive cookies into chunks that are approximately ½ inch.
- Whisk together the milk and cocoa powder until it is smooth and no lumps remain.
- In a sauce pan heat the sweetened condensed milk and melt in the butter.
- Add the cocoa powder and milk mixture to the sauce pan after the butter has melted.
- Cook on medium-low stirring often. Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until is begins to thicken.
- Place the digestive cookie chunks into a large bowl and pour over the sauce pan mixture.
- Combine thoroughly and mix in the dried chopped cherries.
- Line a 5"x9" loaf pan with plastic wrap and pour in the mixture.
- Thoroughly distribute the mixture in the pan.
- Pull the plastic wrap together to form a round loaf and chill for 3-4 hours. If the plastic wants to unwrap use some binder clips to hold in place. Slice, serve and enjoy! Keep refrigerated.
If you are interested in more traditional ethnic type desserts here are a couple more to check out below. You can bookmark them and try them later or pin them on Pinterest. Enjoy!
Polvorones de limón are a Spanish sweet shortbread cookie with a hint of lime and dusted with powdered sugar.
Pistachio rosewater cookies are a Middle Eastern style shortbread cookie with just a hint of rosewater.
Tusenbladstarta is a Swedish dessert that is like baking 6 big cookies and layering with custard cream.
Tarte Normande is a rustic apple tart with custard from the Normandy region of France.
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Authentic Lithuanian Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Kosher salt
- 4 oz unsalted butter European style butter is best.
- 360 g tea cookies McVities plain or chocolate coated work great
- 2 Tbsp dried cherries chopped
Instructions
- Crumble tea biscuits into medium size chunks, and place in a bowl.
- Place cocoa powder in milk, and whisk until no lumps remain. Add in salt and cinnamon.
- In a saucepan, heat sweetened condensed milk, and melt in the butter. Add in the cocoa powder mixture.
- Allow it to cook, stirring often to combine. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
- Pour chocolate mixture over the cookies and stir to coat evenly. Mix in the dried fruit.
- Line a 5"x9" loaf plan with plastic wrap, and pour the mixture. Try to evenly distribute throughout.
- Remove from loaf pan, and try to form a cylinder. Place in the refrigerator and cool for about 3-4 hours.
- Slice thinly, and serve with fruit if desired.
Sarah
What a cool story! You'll have to find more exchange students if you get low on ideas hehe. I love that! And I've never heard of either brand of cookie here 🙁 But I'll keep an eye out for them!
Analida
Hi Sarah! Yes, it's a cool story. Those girls were so nice. I still have another recipe from them that I will publish in the next month or so. As a matter of fact, I am going to Chautauqua Institution again this summer. I will be staying at the same guest house, so I know I will meet other exchange students. You can find Digestive cookies online if your grocery store doesn't carry them. 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Mmmm. How fun is this recipe! These are right up my alley and I can't wait to find the cookies and make this!!
Analida
Thanks Elaine! Yes, it's a fun and easy recipe. If you can't find the Digestive cookies at the store, they have them online. 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
What an unusual cookie! I bet it goes quickly on a dessert tray. I would love to try to make some. I love unusual desserts.
Analida
Hi Marisa, yes it is kind of unusual, and it does go quick. I took a batch to my office and they gobbled them up. I hope you get to make them.
Helene
Oh we have friend from Lithuania who come every year to Goa. They will be coming in jan or feb so I will ask them about these cookies, I didn't think of asking them about their Christmas food tradition. Love how easy these cookies are made from scratch. 😀
Analida
Hi Helene! Yes, ask them about the cookies. The girls who told me about them were very excited to share the recipe.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
It resembles so much our Italian chocolate salami, another no-bake dessert with very similar ingredients, shape, and preparation. So easy and so good!
Analida
Hi Nicoletta! That is really cool. It always amazes me how some recipes from different countries and cultures resemble each other. I will check out your Italian chocolate salami; I am intrigued. 🙂
Ben Myhre
These look like some really good cookies!
Analida
They're really good, and super easy to make. Thanks for commenting Ben.
Julie
These are so pretty with the crumbled pieces of tea biscuits inside! I haven't heard of them before but they look stunning.
Analida
Thanks so much Julie. I had never heard of them until I met the two Lithuanian girls.
Monica | Nourish & Fete
What a great, simple recipe - and I love the story of how you acquired it! I also second the exhortation to use European butter - in this recipe certainly, and also in general. I'm so spoiled now, having lived in Belgium for 2+ years. I think I'm going to miss the butter in a major way when we move back to the U.S.!
Analida
What a wonderful experience to live in Belgium. As a teen I lived in London for 4 years and loved it. Isn't European butter wonderful? The great thing is that we can get some of it in the US. If you get to make these let me know how you like them.
Leslie Haasch
I love slice and bake cookies, so if I don't even have to bake them - that's a win for me!
Analida
Hi Leslie! yes, not having to bake them is awesome especially in the summertime.
prasanna hede
This is so easy and fun recipe to try! How cool is to freeze ad the slice into cookies!
Analida
Yes, Prasanna, it's fun. I like this recipe especially in the summertime when using the oven is out of the question for me. 🙂
Stacey
These look scrumptious, I love that there's only a few ingredients too!
Analida
Hi Stacey, yes few ingredients is always awesome. These authentic Lithuanian cookies were a real find.
Lois. O
I haven't encountered many Lithuanian dishes. These look like the chocolate rocky roads I had growing up. Thanks for sharing.
Analida
Hi Lois, how cool that these Lithuanian cookies reminded you of a similar food you had growing up. It's amazing how food stirs up memories. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Wendy
What a unique cookie! I'm sure they'll be a good addition to a cookie exchange too!
Dawn
I've never heard of these before, but from the looks of the ingredients, they sound delicious! Would love to try 🙂
Sara
Love recipes that have a short list of ingredients and look delicious, as well! Look forward to trying this out!
Analida
Slice and serve works best. Enjoy!
Sara
What gorgeous cookies! I love making a variety of cookies during the holidays, and will definitely have to add these to my list!
Analida
You can save the "log" of cookies in the refrigerator and then slice them when you are ready to serve too. So good!
Kiki Johnson
This reminds me of a German recipe my granny used to make! It was called "cold dog" in German, haha, not really the most appetizing name but sooo delicious! I love that your version has cinnamon in it! Will definitely give it a try!
David
no bake cookies sounds like a great option during the busy holiday season!
Wynn
Someone I work with (- he’s Lithuanian - says he uses cookies called “Scotch Fingers as the cookies. In Australia.
Wynn
Someone I work with - he’s Lithuanian – says he uses cookies called “Scotch Fingers” as the cookies. In Australia. They are a type of shortbread cookie (we call them biscuits).
Eliza
Any suggestions for a biscuit to use that is gluten free? I would love to try these but have a gluten-free eater in the house.
Analida
Hi Eliza, There is a brand of gluten free digestive biscuits by Schar. I believe you can get them on Amazon. Enjoy!
Simona
I found that shortbread cookies are better for this than Gaidelis or McVities and I've been making this for years
Analida
Thanks for the tip! I will give those a try next time!
Evelina
We do it a bit different in my family: no fresh milk, melt the butter and add cocoa (and you can also add a bit of coffee too - that adds a wonderful flavor to it), only then add condensed milk. Still our favorite dessert for any kind of holidays and celebrations 😋🥰
Ben
Does it need to be kept in the fridge after it has set? Will it just.. melt if not?
Analida
Yes, and it is easier to slice cold. Enjoy!