Imagine biting into a crisp, spicy-sweet cookie that transports you straight to the cozy Christmas markets of Sweden! These traditional Pepparkakor aren't just cookies - they're edible memories of Nordic holiday cheer that will make your kitchen smell like a winter wonderland. With their perfect blend of warming spices and delicate crunch, these Swedish gingerbread cookies are about to become your new favorite holiday tradition that will have everyone begging for more!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Swedish
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground cloves, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¾ cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of molasses, and 1 egg.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk together until well mixed to ensure the spices and baking soda are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- In another bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the molasses and egg to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on low speed until the ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients from the first bowl to the wet ingredients in the second bowl. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. You may need to switch to a spatula to help incorporate all the flour.
- Once the dough is fully combined, divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to roll out.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is chilling. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Once the dough has chilled, remove one disk from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes as desired. Traditional shapes include hearts, stars, and gingerbread men.
- Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Keep an eye on them to ensure they do not overbake, as they can turn hard quickly.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can decorate the cookies with icing or leave them plain. Enjoy your homemade Swedish gingerbread cookies (Pepparkakor) with friends and family!
Tips
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This is crucial for achieving the signature thin, crisp texture of authentic Swedish gingerbread cookies.
- Roll the dough very thin: Traditional Pepparkakor are known for their delicate, almost translucent quality. Aim for about ¼ inch thickness or even slightly thinner.
- Watch baking time carefully: These cookies can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly due to their thin nature. Start checking at 8 minutes.
- Use fresh spices: The magic of these cookies lies in their rich, warm spice blend. Make sure your ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are fresh for maximum flavor.
- Store properly: Keep in an airtight container to maintain their crisp texture. They actually taste better after a day or two as the flavors develop!
- Decorating option: While traditional Pepparkakor are often left plain, you can add a festive touch with simple royal icing or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
