**Fattigmand: A Culinary Journey Through Norwegian Christmas Traditions**
As the festive season approaches, the air fills with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked goods, and the Norwegian delicacy known as Fattigmand takes center stage. These crispy, diamond-shaped pastries are a beloved treat, deeply rooted in Norwegian culture and enjoyed by generations. Fattigmand, meaning "poor man" in Norwegian, is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Norwegian people. Traditionally made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, these pastries were once a humble treat reserved for special occasions. Today, Fattigmand is a cherished part of the Norwegian Christmas tradition, enjoyed by people of all ages.
This article presents a collection of Fattigmand recipes that capture the essence of this iconic Norwegian pastry. From the classic recipe that stays true to tradition to creative variations that add a modern twist, these recipes offer a delightful culinary journey for both experienced bakers and those new to the art of pastry-making. Whether you prefer the traditional diamond shape or opt for a fun and festive variation, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure perfect results every time.
As you embark on this culinary adventure, you'll discover the secrets behind creating the perfect Fattigmand dough, mastering the art of rolling and shaping, and achieving that irresistible golden-brown color. Along the way, you'll learn about the history and cultural significance of this beloved Norwegian pastry.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a delicious journey into the world of Fattigmand, where tradition meets creativity, and every bite promises a taste of Norwegian Christmas magic.
FATTIGMAN (NORWEGIAN COOKIES)
These are traditionally made at Christmas at Grandma's house. Fattigman (pronounced futty mun) means poor man. They are my very favorite Norwegian treat!
Provided by Aurora McBee
Categories Cookies
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Beat egg yolks and salt until thick and light in color. Add in cream, sugar and butter. Mix well.
- 2. Add flour and cardamom to egg mixture. Mix well. Chill one hour.
- 3. Roll out 1/4 of the dough at a time, keeping the rest of the dough in the refrigerator. Roll a 1/16 inch thick rectangle. Using a fattigman cutter or a pastry cutter cut in 1 1/2-inch wide strips then cut diagonally at 4-inch intervals (making diamonds). Cut a 1 inch slit lengthwise in center of each piece. Slip one end of the diamond through the cut and pull through gently.
- 4. Fry a few at a time in hot oil (350*) for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
FATTIGMAN COOKIES
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Cream together eggs, sugar, and brandy, if using.
- Stir in melted butter.
- Gently fold whipped cream into batter.
- Sift together flour, cardamom, baking powder, and salt.
- With a light hand, mix dry ingredients into batter to form a soft dough. You want to avoid handling dough too much. Otherwise, cookies will end up tough.
- Chill dough, covered, for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Roll chilled dough out on a floured board to a thickness of 1/8 inch.
- Using a fattigman cutter or a pastry cutter, cut dough into diamond shapes about 1 1/4-inch wide by 3 1/2 inches long. If you're using a pastry cutter, cut dough first into 1 1/4-inch strips and then cut across these diagonally to form diamonds.
- Use a knife to cut a 1/2-inch slash in the middle of each diamond.
- Twist one corner of each diamond up through center slash to make a knot.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in the bottom of a heavy pot to 375 F.
- Drop in pastry knots and fry until golden brown, turning occasionally.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle cookies with vanilla sugar or confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 564 kcal, Carbohydrate 12 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 73 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 58 g, ServingSize 48 cookies (24 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
FATTIGMAN
I would help my sister-in-law make these, in November for the "Christmas Fair" event at her church. Scandinavian food was featured at this half day event, along with baked goods and handmade items. She did not have the cutter, so we just cut them into diamond shapes. She used an electric skillet when frying the fattigman. I don't know how many this makes and I did not add the chill time for the dough. So simple, yet very tasty.
Provided by Charlotte J
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 1 batch
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Beat together egg yolks and sugar.
- Whisk in cream.
- Stir in cognac and spices.
- Beat egg white until it's stiff and carefully stir into other ingredients.
- Mix in a little more than half of the flour.
- Let dough stand, covered and in a cool place, overnight.
- Use the remaining flour (as little as possible) for rolling out the dough; the less flour you use, the more tender the fattigman will be.
- Roll the dough out a little at a time and as thinly as possible.
- Use a fattigmann cutter to cut out diamond shapes.
- Make a small diagonal cut in the center of each diamond, and "thread" one point of the diamond through the cut.
- Heat lard to 350ยบ F.
- Fry fattigman until golden brown.
- You must flip the fattigman to brown both sides.
- A chop sticks works great for this.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Best when 2 people work on these, one cutting/flipping and the other flipping in the hot oil.
TRADITIONAL NORWEGEN COOKIES - FATTIGMANN (84)
Published for ZWT3. These cookies are one of the most famous of the Norwegen traditions. Recipe from fooddownunder.com. This recipe makes approximately 84 Fattigmann so feel free to halve the ingredients!!!
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 84 Fattigmann, 10-20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and yellow. Add cream, and flour mixed with baking powder and cinnamon or cardamom. Fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites and add more flour, enough to make a pliable dough.
- Chill. Roll out dough as thin as possible and cut into diamond shapes with knife or fluted pastry wheel. Make a slit in center of each diamond and pull the tip end of diamond through slit as far as it will go.
- Drop into hot oil or shortening (350 F). Fry like doughnuts, but only until very lightly browned. They cook almost as fast as they are put into the hot shortening, so they must be turned and taken out quickly. Drain on paper and sprinkle with sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 239, Fat 12.5, SaturatedFat 6.7, Cholesterol 158.6, Sodium 98, Carbohydrate 23.8, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 2.9, Protein 7.7
Tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients. This will help your cookies spread and bake more evenly.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the dough, making your cookies lighter and chewier.
- Chill the dough before baking. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies until they are golden brown around the edges. This will ensure that they are cooked through without being overdone.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will help them keep their shape and flavor.
Conclusion:
Fattigmand are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these delicious cookies that are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give Fattigmand a try!
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