The snow continues its graceful decent from above – large flakes producing a thick, white blanket as far as the eye can see. It’s a winter wonderland and today is the last day of any work and school obligations before celebrations truly take hold. With only a few days to go before juleaften, I wanted to share one more favorite baked good with you: serinakaker. (more…)
Tag: christmas cookies
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Serinakaker (Norwegian Christmas Cookies)
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Brune Pinner (Norwegian Christmas Cookies)
Brune pinner directly translates to “brown sticks” – a direct reference to their appearance, but an understatement in terms of their taste. They’re somewhat similar to gingerbread/pepperkaker, but with a strong hint of syrup and cinnamon, and a topping of sugar and almonds to accentuate every bite. (more…) -
Smultringer (Norwegian Doughnuts) Served with a Simple Apple Glaze
Smultringer is considered one of the seven Norwegian Christmas cookies (syv slag), with very interesting origins. Before smultringer, Norwegians were making similar-looking fried cakes called hjortetakk out of horn salt (ammonium bicarbonate) or what was earlier referred to as hjortetakksalt. It’s suspected that hjortetakk came to Norway from Germany, as there are German recipes for them tracing back to the 1700s. (more…) -
Old Fashioned Pepperkaker (Norwegian Gingerbread Cookies)
Arguably, the most aromatic and popular Christmas cookies in Norway are Pepperkaker. They stand out among all the other traditional cookies with their fragrant presence, crispy and inviting texture, and ability to transform into whatever shape or design or role the beholder so wishes.Pepperkaker is more than just another cookie on the table. It’s a transformative dough of make-believe where dreams of candy houses and whole cities are an annual tradition, stories of runaway gingerbread men come to life, and windows and trees become a canvas for warm greetings and decorations.
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Fattigmann (Poor Man Cookies)
The farm has become a blanket of white, with only the contrast of branches and jetting rock to add depth and structure. It’s tranquil and all encompassing.With the holidays fast approaching and the weather conveniently allowing for more time indoors, baking is on the mind. For centuries, people have gathered around the oven, the stove, the griddle, and the fire to produce baked goods befitting of a celebration. It’s a social event from the moment the ingredients are combined all the way to the last bite. (more…)
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Krumkaker with Espresso Cream & Juniper Berry Cream
I pulled open the drawer and took out a small iron wrapped in a clear, plastic bag. Blackened with grease. The signs of wear and tear. Perhaps overuse. Love. I found this particular iron, known as a krumkakejern, hidden underneath serving trays and bread baskets at the local charity shop. It was hard to tell what it was from just looking at it. And the plastic bag did not do it any justice. But once I realised what it was, a smile crept across my face and my eyes grew wide with that gitty excitement you get when you’ve discovered something wonderful & hidden. And while it was no longer precious to its first beholder, I brought it home and tucked it away gently, waiting for December to come around. When I could bring my krumkakejern back to life.
