Scandinavian Spice Cookies

Both Sweden and Finland have a spice cookie that is eaten during the Christmas season.

In Swedish they are called Pepparkakor and in Finnish they are called Piparkakut or Pepparkakkuja

The recipe for these cookies are fairly similar

These cookies can either be rolled thin and cut into shaped and then iced

or rolled into balls and pressed down.

The cookies that are cut into shapes are much crisper then the rolled ones.

Here is the recipe that I came up with after reading a few different recipes. 

I made these for our cookie exchange this year.

Scandinavian Spice Cookies 

1 1/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3 T brown Karo syrup ( you could also use molasses)

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cardamon 

1 tsp ginger.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the syrup, egg and soda mixed with a small amount of flour and mix well.  Mix in the remaining flour cloves, cinnamon, cardamon and ginger.  Mix well.    

After dough is mixed, I place it in the fridge for an hour or so, so that the dough is cool. 

Roll out dough thin and cut with cookie cutters or roll into balls and flatten out with a glass or a cookie press.  I used a cookie press that had been dipped in sugar.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 -12 minutes.

You can also decorate these cookies ~ I outlined the stars and hearts with royal icing (recipe below) or you could also put sprinkles on the cookies before baking them. 

Royal Icing

2 egg whites

2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)

1 tsp vanilla 

Mix all ingredients together.  Place in decorating bag with straight tip and outline cookies with icing.

rolled and used a snow flake shaped
cookie press

Star shape cookie cutter

heart shape cookie cutter

I am sure that there will be someone here that will say that Finland isn't part of the Scandinavian countries.  I have both Finnish blood and Swedish blood in me and I say that I am Scandinhoovien... Not a word but you know what I mean.  Although there is a lot different between Finland and Sweden there is a lot similar just like between Canada and United States.

Links: 4 You with Love, Christmas Cookie Exchange Party, Winter Wonderland Party