Sunday, December 9, 2007

Swedish Pepparkakor Christmas Cookies

Christmas is a special time in Scandinavia and Sweden in particular. Tradition and Heritage are extremely important to Swedish culture and there are many traditions which are widely upheld. In most traditional Swedish homes, the smell of home baked foods and desserts fill the air at Christmas time. The Swedes really love to cook and for many, the holiday season and the Christmas Eve celebration is the highlight of their year.

One recipe, which is very popular in Sweden, is for a cookie called the Pepparkakor.
Pepparkakor, literally translated, means "pepper cookies". They are similar to the American gingersnap cookie but they are generally thinner, crisper and smoother in texture



1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp molasses
1 tsp boiling water
1 large egg
3 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cloves





Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Whisk together the flour, spices, and baking soda and set aside. In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the molasses, boiling water, and egg. Beat until well combined.
Slowly mix in the flour mixture until just mixed.


Chill for one hour.



Divide dough into 2 seperate balls. Flour work surface. roll out 1/8 inch.

use desired cookie cutters. Cut out your shapes.







place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 8-10 minutes , until lightly golden brown. Carefully transfer from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will crisp as they cool.



Enjoy with your favorite Holiday tea. we had a lovely cup of Celestial Seasonings peppermint Candy. Yum !!!




Enjoy !!!!!


5 comments:

  1. These look really yummy.....Cute photo too! Just voted for your blog!

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  2. Yum! Thanks for posting this. It's been years since I've eaten these cookies. I'll have to try this recipe.

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  3. http://loveconquersall.typepad.com/December 9, 2007 at 10:47 PM

    "Hey you sweetie, You will always have my VOTE!!" I will vote for you....

    Goodnight!!
    xo Jeannene

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  4. Mica!!!!

    I did not realize that you homeschooled until today when I saw your comment on Jeannene's blog!!! I will happliy vote for your blog ... and that photo of your daughter with the flour all over her face is just simply precious!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe, they sure sound delicious!

    Merry Christmas!!!

    xo,
    Dana

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  5. I make this every Christmas using my mom's recipe from my childhood. My mom always stressed that we had to roll them thin. So her voice is in my head telling me to roll them thinner or they won't be right. Sweet memories.

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