Scandinavian Almond Bread Recipes

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
• In a large bowl beat margarine or butter till softened.
• Add sugar and beat till fluffy.
• Add egg and the 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract and beat well.
• Add the flour mixture and beat till well mixed.
• Divide the dough into fourths, form each portion into a 12 inch roll.
• Place 2 of the rolls 4 to 5-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Flatten each roll till it is about 3 inches wide.
• Repeat with the remaining rolls.
• Brush each flattened roll with milk and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of almonds each.
• Bake in a 325° oven for 12-14 minutes or till edges are lightly brown.
• While still warm, cut crosswise on the diagonal into 1 inch strips.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Stir together the powdered sugar, the almond extract and enough of the 3-4 teaspoons of milk to make a drizzling consistency.
• Drizzle over the cool bars.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND BREAD

Steps:

• Beat sugar, egg, extract, and milk, add flour and baking powder, finally add margarine.
• Pour into bundt cake pan sprayed with cooking spray (or specialized Scandinavian cake pan).
• Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
• Edges must be golden brown.
• Cool in pan before removing.
• Bread will break if removed too soon.
• Sprinkle with confectionary sugar.
• Cool cake in pan before removing as it can break apart.
• Variation: before pouring batter into pan, sprinkle sliced almonds on the bottom.

SWEDISH ALMOND RUSKS

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in extract. Sift together flour, cardamom and baking soda; add alternately with sour cream to creamed mixture. Fold in almonds. Divide dough into 6 parts; shape into logs (like refrigerated cookie dough). Place 3 each on 2 greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until light brown. , Remove logs to cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice logs diagonally 1/2 in. thick. Place cookies on sheets; return to oven and bake until light brown. Cool; store in tightly covered containers.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Spray pan with cooking spray/Pam and flour.
• Beat sugar, egg, extract, and milk well. Add flour and baking powder. Add butter.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes. Edges must be golden brown.
• Cool in pan overnight before removing. Cake will break if removed too soon.
• Sprinkle with icing sugar.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a round loaf pan (or round baking dish) with nonstick baking spray; set aside.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, egg, almond extract and milk. Add the flour, baking powder, and melted butter. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
• 3. Sprinkle the almonds on top. Place loaf pan in oven, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool in pan before removing and cutting into 8 to 10 slices.
• 4. Sprinkle each slice with confectioners' sugar, and enjoy with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

SCANDINAVIAN KRINGLER

Steps:

• Measure 1 cup flour into mixing bowl.
• Using a pastry blender, cut 1/2 cup butter into flour until particles are size of small peas.
• Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with a fork until flour mixture is moistened and soft dough forms.
• Divide dough in half.
• On ungreased cookie sheet, press each half into a 12x3 inch strip.
• In medium saucepan, heat water and 1/2 cup butter to boiling.
• Remove from heat; immediately stir in 1 cup flour until smooth.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
• Stir in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
• Spoon over crust, spreading to 3/4 inch from edges.
• Bake 50-60 minutes until golden brown and puffy- Cool.
• Blend powdered sugar, butter, almond extract and milk until smooth.
• Frost, sprinkle with nuts.
• Cut into 10-12 slices to serve.

FLAKY DANISH KRINGLE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream 6 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons flour. Spread into an 8x4-in. rectangle on a piece on waxed paper. Cover with waxed paper; refrigerate. , In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the cream, sugar, salt and egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Do not let rise. Roll into an 8-in. square. Remove top sheet of waxed paper from butter mixture; invert onto center of dough. Peel off waxed paper. Fold plain dough over butter layer. Fold widthwise into thirds. Roll out into a 12x6-in. rectangle. Fold into thirds. Repeat rolling and folding twice. Wrap in waxed paper; refrigerate for 30 minutes. , On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 24x5-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, beat almond paste and remaining butter; beat until smooth. Spread lengthwise down the center of dough. Fold dough over filling to cover; pinch to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet. Shape into a pretzel. Flatten lightly with a rolling pin. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°., Brush egg white over dough. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs and almonds. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

SWEDISH KRINGLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• To make the dough cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour using a knife or pastry blender. Add water as needed and mix until crumbly, leaving pea-sized chunks. On a floured surface roll the dough out to 3 or 4 inches in width. Place on a rectangular cookie sheet.
• In a small saucepan over high heat, bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup butter to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in flour; mix until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in 1 teaspoon almond extract. Spread filling over dough.
• Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes. The pastry will fall a little as it cools.
• Meanwhile, combine confectioners' sugar, cream, 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Spread icing over pastry as soon as it's removed from the oven.