Authentic Swedish Pepparkakor Spice Cookies
Delight in the festive charm of Authentic Swedish Pepparkakor, a cherished tradition during St. Lucia Day celebrated on December 13. These aromatic spice cookies, with their unique blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, evoke the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Infused with rich, unsulfured molasses, they boast a perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness that will delight your taste buds. Optional additions of cardamom and finely chopped candied ginger elevate the flavors even further, making these cookies a beloved favorite in many households. Prepare your dough a day in advance to ensure optimal rolling and baking, and surprise your loved ones with these scrumptious treats that capture the essence of Swedish festivities.
N/A
Servings
68
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups
ground ginger
2 teaspoons
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons
ground cloves
2 teaspoons
baking soda
1 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
sugar
1 cup
unsalted butter or shortening
1 cup (softened (do NOT use margarine))
egg
1 (large)
unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup (preferably 'Grandma's Original')
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside your dry mixture.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and softened butter (or shortening) together until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
3
Beat in the egg until well combined, then gradually add in the molasses, continuing to mix until fully incorporated.
4
Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Ensure the dough is well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for rolling.
5
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6
On a well-floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, such as traditional gingerbread figures or festive holiday symbols.
7
Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, allowing a little space between each one, and bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
8
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Authentic Swedish Pepparkakor Spice Cookies?
They are traditional Swedish holiday cookies known for their aromatic blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, typically served during St. Lucia Day.
When is St. Lucia Day celebrated?
St. Lucia Day is a cherished holiday tradition celebrated on December 13.
What spices give Pepparkakor their unique flavor?
The unique flavor comes from a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Can I use margarine in this recipe?
No, the recipe specifically states to use unsalted butter or shortening and not to use margarine.
What type of molasses is best for these cookies?
Rich, unsulfured molasses is recommended, preferably Grandma's Original.
Why must the dough be refrigerated overnight?
Refrigerating the dough overnight allows the flavors to meld and ensures the dough is firm enough for rolling.
What is the texture of these Swedish cookies?
These cookies offer a perfect balance of crispiness and chewiness.
Can I add cardamom to the dough?
Yes, cardamom is an optional addition that can elevate the flavor profile of the cookies.
Is it possible to include candied ginger?
Yes, adding finely chopped candied ginger is an optional way to enhance the cookies.
How thick should I roll the Pepparkakor dough?
The chilled dough should be rolled out to a thickness of 1/8 inch.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
What shapes are traditional for Pepparkakor?
Traditional shapes include gingerbread figures or various festive holiday symbols.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
What is the calorie count per cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 68 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
One cookie contains about 3g of fat.
What are the carbohydrate counts for these cookies?
Each cookie contains 10g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in a Pepparkakor cookie?
There is 1g of protein per cookie.
What ingredients are sifted together first?
The flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt should be sifted together first.
How much flour is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the first step in mixing the wet ingredients?
The first step is to cream the sugar and softened butter or shortening together until light and fluffy.
When do I add the egg and molasses?
Beat in the egg first until well combined, then gradually add the molasses while continuing to mix.
What size egg should I use?
The recipe requires one large egg.
How much sugar is needed for the dough?
The recipe uses 1 cup of sugar.
What should I do after removing the cookies from the oven?
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
How much ginger is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of ground ginger.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
How much ground cloves are included?
There are 2 teaspoons of ground cloves in the mixture.
Is salt used in Swedish Pepparkakor?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
The recipe consists of 10 primary ingredients.