Pepparkakor are Swedish spice cookies. I will never forget the first time I tasted them. I was working at an inn and the manager's wife offered me one of her freshly baked Christmas cookies, apparently a tradition with their family. So delicious! I didn't think about Pepparkakor again for years after that, until I came upon the recipe in a Country Woman magazine. Then I had to try it!
These crisp spicy cookies will add such a Christmasy aroma to your house! Don't be scared off by the fact that you have to roll and cut them. This is a very easy dough to work with. Here's the recipe:
PEPPARKAKOR
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tblsp. dark molasses
1 egg 3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tblsp. cinnamon
1 Tblsp. ginger
1 Tblsp. cloves
Juice and grated rind of 1 orange
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tblsp. dark molasses
1 egg 3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tblsp. cinnamon
1 Tblsp. ginger
1 Tblsp. cloves
Juice and grated rind of 1 orange
Cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy; add molasses and egg. Mix until blended. Sift flour, soda and spices into creamed mixture. Add orange juice and rind; mix until well blended. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8” thickness. Cut into heart or reindeer shapes. Transfer to cookie sheets.
Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes, until brown. Cool on rack and store in a covered tin. Makes at least 3 to 4 dozen cookies.
Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes, until brown. Cool on rack and store in a covered tin. Makes at least 3 to 4 dozen cookies.
A dreary day in early December is actually the perfect time to bake these cookies, so why not mix up a batch right now? The lady who submitted this recipe to the magazine said that these were the first cookies she baked each year, to make
her house really smell like Christmas. It works!
And of course, you need
not limit yourself to heart and reindeer shapes; that’s just what I usually
do. Sometimes I cut some pine trees and moose as well. These are yummy
whatever shape you choose to make them!
No pepper in them? ☺️ For some reason, I have always thought so. My sister and I have a cookie day coming up this week. I think I’ll try a batch of these! Thank you for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI thought that, too, Vee, and all those decades ago when my boss offered me one of her cookies, I was a bit hesitant. But it was delicious, and years later when I found this recipe I had to try it.
DeleteThat's great that you and your sister have a cookie day coming up. Have loads of fun! Wish I could join you! I think you will like these cookies.
Those sound so good, I'm making them not tonight but maybe tomorrow evening after work.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you enjoy them! We think they are delicious. I'm hoping to find some time for Christmas baking tomorrow.
DeleteI just bet the whole house smells wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt does, Terri! And you are welcome. Hope you enjoy these if you try them.
DeleteThese sound wonderful. I've bookmarked them for later on.
ReplyDeleteThey are delicious, Lorrie. I hope you enjoy them.
DeleteWell Mrs T....I am once again having problems leaving comments so I am trying a new way!! For some reason my google account is acting crazy. The hearts are precious and I may try my hand at making some for my Valentine Dough Bowl.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you do, Arlene! I should have added that these look nice in other colors also. Dark blue felt hearts (or stars!) with silver stars would look dreamy, I think.
DeleteI had never heard of these cookies, made them last night and really like them.
ReplyDeleteI posted on my facebook page and my lady friends all ask about them .
A great spicy cookie for sure
Janice
I am so glad that you liked these cookies, Janice, and hopefully your friends who try the recipe will also enjoy them! Thanks for letting me know!
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