Swedish Spice Cookies Muskotsnittar Recipes

TRADITIONAL PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH SPICE COOKIES)

Steps:

• Sift together dry ingredients; set aside.
• Cream sugar and butter.
• Add egg and molasses.
• Blend in dry ingredients thoroughly. Let dough stand overnight for easy rolling.
• On a well-floured board, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness.
• Cut into shapes (we usually make gingerbread people) and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
• NOTE: Prep time does not include time to let dough rest overnight.

TRADITIONAL SWEDISH PEPPARKAKOR

Steps:

• Sift the flour together with the baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom in a mixing bowl.
• Beat the butter together with the white and brown sugars in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and corn syrup until smooth. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until evenly blended. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and wrap tightly each with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
• Using 1 portion at a time, work on a floured surface and roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter, and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven until set, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered tins.

MARTHA'S SPECULAAS COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; beat in half the flour mixture. Beat in milk, followed by remaining flour mixture. Shape dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• Line three baking sheets with parchment. Dab speculaas mold all over with a small piece of dough (this provides a light buttery coating that prevents sticking). Generously sprinkle mold with flour, tapping to remove excess. Take a piece of dough that is roughly the same size as the mold; using your palm, press into mold. Using a long, thin knife, scrape off excess dough. Invert mold over a prepared baking sheet; rap far end of the mold against the sheet, holding it at an angle to release the formed cookie. Sprinkle mold with more flour; repeat with remaining dough. Gather scraps (refrigerate if dough gets too soft) and form more cookies. Freeze at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until firm and golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer parchment with cookies to wire racks; let cool completely.

GRANDMA'S PEPPARKAKOR ~ SWEDISH SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. GRANDMA'S DIRECTIONS Sift flour with soda and spices. Cream butter and sugar, add syrup and egg. Add dry ingredients. Mix until well blended. (form dough into a ball) Roll out thin, about 1/16 of an inch, on floured board, and cut into shapes. Bake at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes.
• 2. THIS IS WHAT WORKS FOR ME After the dough is formed into a ball, divide into 4 smaller balls, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes or so. I also roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper. Cut into shapes, pop the sheet into the freezer for a couple of minutes. It makes it easy to remove the cut outs from the parchment.
• 3. **** Not stated in Grandma's directions, YOU KEEP ROLLING ALL YOUR TRIMMINGS, UNTIL ALL THE DOUGH IS GONE! It's a labor of love!