Norwegian Holiday Lefse Delight
This delightful Norwegian Lefse recipe is a cherished holiday tradition, especially loved by my husband (DH). Made with instant potato flakes for a quick preparation, this recipe yields a soft, warm flatbread perfect for festive gatherings. The Lefse is traditionally spread with creamy butter, sprinkled generously with sugar, and rolled up for a delicious treat. Wrapped in Saran Wrap, they stay fresh and are ideal for sharing with family and friends during the Christmas season. It's a simplified version of a classic recipe from the Pillsbury County Cooking cookbook, a true gem passed down from ChamoritaMomma. Enjoy this warm, comforting flatbread that brings joy to any holiday celebration!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
instant potato flakes
3 cups (Measure into a large bowl.)
water
1 cup (Heat with salt and margarine to a rolling boil.)
margarine or butter
2 tablespoons (Add to the boiling water mixture.)
salt
2 teaspoons (Combine with water and margarine.)
milk
1 cup (Add to the boiling mixture off heat.)
all-purpose flour
3/4-1 cup (Gradually add to potato mixture.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your electric lefse griddle or electric skillet to the highest temperature. If using a regular stovetop griddle, ensure it's hot and dry.
2
In a large bowl, measure out the 3 cups of instant potato flakes.
3
In a small saucepan, combine the water, salt, and margarine. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
4
Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the milk.
5
Pour the hot liquid mixture over the potato flakes and stir until fully combined. The mixture will be crumbly at this stage.
6
Gradually add 3/4 to 1 cup of all-purpose flour to the potato mixture. Use your hands to mix until a soft, rolling-consistency dough forms. Avoid adding too much flour.
7
Shape the dough into a log about 10 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Cut the log into 1/2-inch slices.
8
Cover the dough pieces with plastic wrap to keep them moist while you roll them out.
9
On a well-floured board or pastry cloth, roll each slice into a paper-thin circle.
10
Gently transfer the rolled Lefse to the preheated griddle using a lefse stick or spatula.
11
Bake the Lefse for about 1 minute on one side or until brown spots form. Flip and bake the other side for 30-45 seconds.
12
After baking, place the Lefse between cloth dish towels to keep them warm and prevent drying out.
13
Repeat the process with the remaining slices of dough.
14
Allow Lefse to cool completely before serving.
15
To serve, spread each Lefse with butter, sprinkle with sugar, and fold in quarters. For convenience, wrap them in Saran Wrap to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Norwegian Holiday Lefse Delight?
It is a soft, warm Norwegian potato flatbread that is a cherished holiday tradition, often served with butter and sugar.
What makes this lefse recipe quick to prepare?
This recipe uses instant potato flakes instead of boiling and mashing fresh potatoes, which simplifies and speeds up the process.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: instant potato flakes, water, margarine or butter, salt, milk, and all-purpose flour.
What temperature should I use for the griddle?
You should preheat your electric lefse griddle or electric skillet to the highest temperature available.
How do I prepare the potato base?
Combine water, salt, and margarine in a saucepan, bring to a boil, stir in milk, and then pour the hot liquid over the potato flakes.
What is the secret to the dough's consistency?
Gradually add 3/4 to 1 cup of all-purpose flour to the potato mixture and mix until a soft, rolling-consistency dough forms, taking care not to add too much flour.
How should I shape the dough before rolling it out?
Shape the dough into a log approximately 10 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, then cut it into 1/2-inch slices.
How do I prevent the dough from drying out while working?
Cover the dough pieces with plastic wrap to keep them moist while you roll out each individual slice.
What should I use to roll out the lefse?
Roll each slice on a well-floured board or a pastry cloth into a paper-thin circle.
How long do I bake the lefse on the griddle?
Bake for about 1 minute on the first side until brown spots form, then flip and bake the other side for 30 to 45 seconds.
What tools are recommended for transferring the lefse?
A traditional lefse stick or a spatula can be used to gently transfer the thin dough to the preheated griddle.
How do I keep the lefse warm after cooking?
Place the baked lefse between cloth dish towels immediately after removal from the griddle to keep them warm and prevent drying.
What is the traditional way to serve this dish?
Spread each piece with creamy butter, sprinkle generously with sugar, and roll it up or fold it into quarters.
How should I store lefse to maintain freshness?
Wrap the lefse in Saran Wrap once they have cooled to keep them fresh for sharing.
Can I use a regular stovetop griddle?
Yes, if you do not have an electric griddle, you can use a regular stovetop griddle as long as it is hot and dry.
What is the origin of this specific version of the recipe?
This is a simplified version of a classic recipe from the Pillsbury County Cooking cookbook, passed down through ChamoritaMomma.
What type of flour is used?
The recipe calls for all-purpose flour.
Can I use butter instead of margarine in the dough?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 2 tablespoons of margarine or butter.
How much milk is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of milk, added to the hot liquid mixture after removing it from the heat.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but it yields multiple individual rounds from a 10-inch dough log.
Is salt necessary in the dough?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of salt are used to season the potato mixture.
What should the dough feel like?
It should be soft and have a rolling consistency that allows it to be flattened into thin circles without sticking excessively.
Can I make this for Christmas?
Absolutely, this recipe is specifically noted as a festive treat ideal for the Christmas season.
Do I need to grease the griddle?
No, the instructions specify that the griddle should be hot and dry.
How do I handle the hot liquid?
You should bring the water, salt, and margarine to a rolling boil before removing from heat and adding the milk.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your electric lefse griddle or skillet to its highest temperature setting.
How thin should the circles be rolled?
The dough should be rolled until it is paper-thin for the best texture.
How many cups of potato flakes are used?
The recipe requires 3 cups of instant potato flakes.
What should the potato mixture look like before adding flour?
After stirring the hot liquid into the flakes, the mixture will appear crumbly.
When should I cool the lefse?
Allow the lefse to cool completely before the final serving preparation or wrapping them for storage.