Although common in Germany, these dessert cookies are almost impossible to find in the U.S. The flavor is somewhat similar to shortbread in layers with jam or honey between each layer. They're then topped off with a dusting of caster sugar. These cookies require 3 small concentric shaped cookie cutters to create the "terrace" effect.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (or 1 1/2teaspoon vanilla extract)

1 lemon

1 1/4 cups butter (2 1/2 sticks)

6 eggs

1/4 cup caster sugar, for dusting

1/2 cup jam or honey

Using a lemon zester, remove the zest from one lemon, and place it in a mixing bowl. Add the flour, vanilla sugar and sugar. Using a mixer, mix on a low speed. Add butter in 1/4 stick chunks. Add 2 egg yolks and 4 whole eggs.

Once it's thoroughly mixed, remove and knead a couple of times. Form the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Remove the dough and create a baseball sized ball. Place it on a floured surface, and roll it flat using a rolling pin.

Using 3 concentric shaped cookie cutters, place an equal number of small, medium and large pieces on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Once golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool.

Warm some jam, and place between each layer of the cookies.

Dust with caster sugar, and serve.