Pepparkakor
This dough is very sticky and hard to work with despite the long chilling time. The results are worth it, though. If you have trouble rolling the dough out, shape it into balls instead and flatten it with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 36 COOKIES
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
Cream butter, sugar, egg, corn syrup, orange juice, and orange zest.
Whisk dry ingredients together; stir into butter mixture until well blended.
Wrap tightly; allow to chill 1 day. During this time the flavors will mellow and the finished cookies will be much better.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Roll chilled dough out to 1/8" thickness on a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
Bake 8–10 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from baking sheets. Cool completely. Flavor develops as it is stored 1–2 days.
Make a Wish
It is a Swedish custom to put one of these cookies in the palm of your hand and make a wish. Tap your index finger in the center of the cookie until it breaks. Legend has it that if the cookie breaks in three pieces, your wish will come true. Whether you get your wish or not, these spicy cookies are delicious any time of the year.
