**Discover the Sweet and Crunchy Delight of Finnish Cookie Sticks: A Culinary Journey into a Nordic Treat**
In the realm of delectable baked goods, Finnish cookie sticks, also known as "Pullapitko," stand out as a cherished delicacy with a rich history and captivating flavors. These crispy and addictive treats, often dusted with sugar or cinnamon, have become synonymous with Finland's culinary heritage. Join us on a delectable journey as we explore the world of Finnish cookie sticks, uncovering their origins, unraveling their secrets, and presenting a collection of mouthwatering recipes that will tantalize your taste buds.
**A Bite-Sized History: The Origins of Finnish Cookie Sticks**
The story of Finnish cookie sticks is deeply intertwined with the country's rich culinary traditions. These delightful treats have been a staple in Finnish homes for generations, passed down from one generation to the next. Their popularity soared during the 19th century, becoming an integral part of festive occasions, coffee breaks, and social gatherings. Today, Finnish cookie sticks continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Finns and are exported worldwide, spreading the joy of this Nordic delicacy far and wide.
**Unveiling the Secrets of Finnish Cookie Sticks: A Culinary Exploration**
The magic of Finnish cookie sticks lies in their simplicity and the careful balance of ingredients. Typically made with a combination of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, these cookies derive their unique texture from the generous use of butter, which creates a light and flaky dough. The addition of cardamom, a quintessential Nordic spice, imparts a subtle warmth and depth of flavor, while the sprinkling of sugar or cinnamon adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
**A Culinary Adventure: Recipes for Every Occasion**
Embrace the culinary artistry of Finnish cookie sticks with a selection of delectable recipes that cater to various tastes and preferences. From the classic Pullapitko, with its traditional sugar coating, to the enticing Cinnamon-Sugar Cookie Sticks, bursting with the comforting aroma of cinnamon, these recipes offer a delightful journey into the realm of Nordic flavors. For those seeking a healthier alternative, the Whole Wheat Finnish Cookie Sticks provide a nutritious twist without compromising on taste.
**The Joy of Finnish Cookie Sticks: A Culinary Legacy to Cherish**
Finnish cookie sticks embody the essence of Nordic baking, blending simplicity, tradition, and delectable flavors. Whether enjoyed as a sweet treat during coffee breaks, shared during festive gatherings, or gifted to loved ones, these cookies hold a special place in Finnish culture and culinary history. As you embark on this culinary adventure, savor the delightful crunch, the subtle sweetness, and the comforting warmth of Finnish cookie sticks, and discover the joy of a Nordic tradition that has captured hearts for generations.
JOULUTORTTU (FINNISH CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES)
Soft and flaky pasty surrounds a flavorful jam in Joulutorttu, festive Finnish Christmas Star Cookies. For best results, refrigerate this dough for 2-3 hours before shaping and baking the cookies.
Provided by Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere
Categories Dessert Recipes
Time 1h12m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl beat together butter and ricotta cheese with an electric hand mixer. Add the flour, and mix until a soft dough comes together.
- Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours (up to overnight), until firm.
- Preheat your oven to 425F.
- Lightly flour your countertop and roll out one section of dough to a rectangle (roughly 12 x 9 inches) that is about an 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
- In each square, make four cuts, one from each corner, each going 1/2 - 2/3 of the way to the center of the square.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of each square.
- Fold every other corner of each square over the jam. Use the beaten egg wash to moisten the corners slightly and lightly press to seal the corners together over top of the jam.
- Transfer your pinwheel cookie to a parchment lined baking sheet, placing the cookies 1 inch apart.
- Repeat with the second half of the dough.
- Lightly brush the tops of the cookies with the beaten egg.
- Bake the cookies 10-12 minutes, until golden.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies are cool, dust them lightly with powdered sugar.
- Store the cookies in an air-tight container on the counter for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 110 calories, ServingSize 2 cookies
FINNISH STAR COOKIES (JOULUTORTTU)
A rich cream-cheese dough flecked with lemon zest is filled with sweet-tart raspberry preserves in these festive pinwheel cookies known as joulutorttu, which means Christmas tart in Finnish.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes about 18
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Add sugar and lemon zest and continue to beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 1 egg and beat until combined. Beat in flour mixture on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a square, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove one-half of dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured sheet of parchment, roll out dough into a square about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out squares using a 3 1/2-inch square cutter, then carefully transfer to prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 1/2 inches apart. If dough becomes too soft, transfer parchment with dough to a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm.
- Place 1 teaspoon preserves in the center of each square. Using a small paring knife, cut 1 1/4-inch slits diagonally from each corner toward the filling. Fold every other tip over to cover filling, forming a pinwheel. Press lightly to seal. If dough becomes soft, refrigerate until firm.
- Lightly beat remaining egg with remaining pinch of salt. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush tops of cookies with egg wash. Bake until edges are golden and cookies are slightly puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
COOKIE STICKS
If you have a craving for cookies and you want them now, these yummy strips take just a few minutes to make from start to finish. -Kathy Zielicke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 25m
Yield 3 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the oil, sugars, egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well. Divide dough in half. , On a greased baking sheet, shape each portion into a 15x3-in. rectangle about 3 in. apart. Sprinkle chocolate chips and, if desired, nuts over dough; press lightly. , Bake at 375° for 6-7 minutes. (Bake for 8-9 minutes for crispier cookies.) Cool for 5 minutes. Cut with a serrated knife into 1-in. strips; remove to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 54mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
SPOON COOKIES: LUSIKKALEIVAT (FINLAND)
Scandinavia is known for all kinds of cookies, mostly flavored with anise or lemon. The flavor we found most compelling in cookies from all over Scandinavia, however, was brown butter - it's nutty, rich and delicious, and pairs perfectly with a tart fruit jam. These cookies get their elegant shape from the teaspoons used to form them.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 1h25m
Yield about 32 sandwiched cookies
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Melt the butter in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter browns lightly and smells slightly nutty, about 15 minutes. Transfer the butter to a medium bowl -- be sure to get all the tasty brown bits -- and cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in another medium bowl.
- Whisk the egg yolk, sugar and vanilla into the cooled browned butter.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture to make a uniform but crumbly dough that looks like wet sand.
- Scoop out dough with a small teaspoon (the kind you set the table with, not the ones you measure with). Rock spoon gently back and forth against the side of the bowl, packing the dough into the spoon, then scrape/slide the spoon against the inside of the bowl to make spoon-shaped cookies. Trim excess dough with your fingers and slide out onto the prepared pans, preserving their shape. (Try to make sure you form an even number of cookies, since these sandwich together.)
- Bake cookies until just browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool almost completely on the baking sheets, and then transfer cookies to a rack to cool.
- When cool, spread 1/2 teaspoon jam on the flat side of a cookie, and then sandwich together with a second cookie. Repeat until all cookies have met their match. Lightly dust the cookies with the confectioners' sugar. Serve.
- Busy baker's tips: The dough can be prepared several hours ahead and stored at room temperature. Freeze baked cookie halves wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil for up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, defrost at room temperature and assemble as desired. Store sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not store with crisp cookies, as moisture from the jam will soften the texture of other crisp cookies.
- Copyright (c) 2007 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved
FINNISH COOKIES "JOULUTORT STARS"
JOULUTORTUT,or sometimes called NORTHERN STARS,cookies are a buttery, delicious,a star-shaped FINNISH Christmas Cookie. They traditional have a prune filling. Made from scratch. But plum,apple,rhubarb, strawberry or you're favorite jam can be used. My paternal grandparents came from Finland, and I make these most holidays...in...
Provided by Nancy J. Patrykus
Categories Fruit Sides
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dough ingredients, in a large bowel, with your hands. (it must be with your clean hands no rings on please.) Once all the ingredients are well mixed let the dough. Important: Chill for a few hours!
- 2. Sprinkle flour on your clean kitchen counter.Take half of the dough out, and leave the other half in the refrigerator. Roll out and cut into several 3 inch sguares with a knife.
- 3. Cut slits in all 4 corners of each square. Fill the center with a couple teaspoons of filling.
- 4. Then create the star by pulling down alternate corners of the squares. Press the alternate corners down into the filling to make them stick. Do the same with the second half of cookie dough.
- 5. Bake on an ungreased coolie sheet, at 350 degrees F. for about 12-15 minutes. You will start to smell the butter and cream cheese. But really just take a peek, if they have a nice golden color they are done. Cool on wire racks. ....Sprinkle with powdered sugar...when cool.
FINNISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES
"My friend bakes these cookies at Christmas," says Judith Outlaw of Portland, Oregon. "They're popular at cookie exchanges, but my friend's husband urges her not to trade any of them!"
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 30m
Yield about 6 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Gradually beat in flour and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Roll out onto a well-floured surface to 1/4-in. thickness. Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with almonds and sugar if desired. Using a fluted pastry cutter or knife, cut into 2x1-in. strips. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 89 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 16mg cholesterol, Sodium 42mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality butter. This will give your cookies a richer flavor and texture.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, making your cookies light and airy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the dough from curdling.
- Stir in the dry ingredients gradually. This will help to prevent the dough from becoming tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies to hold their shape in the oven.
- Bake the cookies at a moderate temperature. This will help to prevent them from burning.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will help to prevent them from becoming soft and crumbly.
Conclusion:
Finnish cookie sticks are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for any occasion, from a simple snack to a festive holiday party. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a batch of these delicious cookies that will be sure to impress your friends and family.
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