Šape are one of the most loved, traditional Bosnian treats. When translated to English, šapa (sing.) simply means a “paw”. The old tins were shaped like bear paws, hence the name. I remember playing with my grandmother’s šape tins when I was a little girl. They had that gray and brownish patina from years of use and I wish I had somehow saved them…Today the tins come in all different shapes and can be purchased here. A madeleine tin can also be used to make šape.

Bear paws are made from simple ingredients, readily available in every household. Biting into a šapa can instantly take me back to my grandmother’s little kitchen, with wooden floors, green credenza and an old tin box she kept them in. Šape are made for birthdays, feasts, weddings, christenings, Christmas and almost every other special occasion. They are sort of a shortbread cookie, originally made with lard, but are just as good made with butter. Traditionally, walnuts are used in the cookie, but I’ve seen them made with shredded coconut, poppy seeds or spiced with cinnamon. The crumbly dough is pressed into tin forms, placed onto a cookie sheet, baked and tossed in powdered sugar. They simply melt in your mouth!

Šape or Bear Paws

[print recipe]

Yields about 30-35 cookies

Ingredients:

• 120 g /4.2 oz lard (or 140 g /4.9 oz butter)
• 120 g / 4.2 oz sugar
• 1 vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 egg
• 120 g / 4.2 oz ground walnuts
• 300 g / 10.5 oz / 2 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 13 g / about 1 tsp baking powder
• A few tsp of milk (if needed)
• 1 – 2  tbsp honey (optional)

+

• Powdered sugar
• Baking tins
• Butter (melted) to brush the tins

Preparation:

1. Beat lard (or butter), sugar and vanilla for about 3-4 minutes, then add egg and lemon zest and mix for couple of more minutes.
2. Add ground walnuts.
3. Combine flour and baking powder; add to the lard mixture.
4. The dough will be crumbly. If too dry, add a tbsp or two milk
5. Brush the tins with melted butter, fill them about 2/3 with dough.
6. Place the tins on a cookie sheet and bake at 180 C / 355 F for about 15 minutes or until golden-brown color.
7. Let them cool down for a minute or two, remove from tins and liberally dust with powdered sugar.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea or dip in milk! 🙂