German Christmas Cardamom Cookies (Kardamon Plaetzchen)

In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and white sugar and vanilla sugar until light and fluffy.

Add rum and vanilla extract and mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour, cardamom, baking powder and salt.

Mix the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients until a stiff dough forms.

Separate dough into 2 or 3 rolls about 1-inch in diameter, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or more, to chill.

Preheat oven to 390 ºF.

Once chilled, remove from refrigerator and place dough rolls on a cutting board. Cut the dough at ¼-inch thick and place cookies on a cookie sheet. Flatten slightly by creating a crosshatch pattern on the cookies.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until slightly brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

Melt chocolate couverture according to the package instructions.

Dip cookies, halfway into the melted chocolate and transfer to wax paper to harden.

Once chocolate has set, serve and enjoy!