In the culinary realm, Finnish tarts, also known as "piirakka," hold a special place, embodying Finland's rich cultural heritage. These delectable pastries, often served during festive occasions, captivate taste buds with their diverse fillings and flavors. From the classic egg butter tarts, bursting with creamy goodness, to the savory meat tarts, brimming with a hearty filling, each bite promises a unique gustatory experience. Whether you prefer the sweet indulgence of the jam-filled tarts or the tangy delight of the lemon tarts, Finnish tarts offer a delectable journey through Finland's culinary traditions. With a variety of recipes to choose from, ranging from traditional to modern interpretations, this article serves as your ultimate guide to mastering the art of Finnish tarts. Embark on a culinary adventure and discover the secrets behind these beloved pastries, ensuring success in your baking endeavors.
Let's cook with our recipes!
FINNISH PINWHEELS
When my sister was hosting an exchange student from Finland, she served these cookies I'd made to her guest. The young lady instantly recognized what they were. So I know they're still being made in our ancestors' country. -Ilona Barron, Ontonagon, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h15m
Yield about 7 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a saucepan, combine dried plums, dates, water and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in butter. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter as for a pie crust. Blend in egg, cream and vanilla. Form into 2 balls. , Place 1 ball at a time on a floured surface and roll to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into 2-in. squares. Place on ungreased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, make 1-in. diagonal slits in corners. Place 1/2 teaspoon filling in the center of each square. Bring every other corner up into center to form a pinwheel and press lightly. Bake at 325° until the points are light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 44mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
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.
FINNISH PRUNE TARTS
One of my favorite Christmas treats, and very popular with the Finnish community with coffee. I know,you're thinking prunes..ewww...but they are very good. (the bake time does not include the overnight dough chill time).
Provided by LiisaN
Categories Tarts
Time 55m
Yield 24 tarts
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Blend dough ingredients with pastry blender.
- Add milk to soften as needed.
- Should make into 4 small or 2 large balls.
- Cover and chill dough overnight.
- Cook the prunes in water until soft.
- Drain.
- Press prunes through wire strainer or pureed in blender.
- Add the sugar and mix well.
- Roll out dough into large square in order to cut into 3 inch square Place a mound of filling in the center.
- Split each corner from the top to within 1/2 inch of the center.
- Fold one half of each corner to the center-- to form a star or pinwheel.
- Place on ungreased baking sheet- you may sprinkle croase grain sugar over tart.
- Let stand 10 minutes before baking.
- Bake in hot oven 400*F for 7 to 10 minutes- until light golden brown (they should be realitively pale).
- Remove and cool on rack.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.4, Fat 8.4, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 22.4, Sodium 203.9, Carbohydrate 16.6, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 4.5, Protein 2.9
FINNISH TARTS
Those are great tarts. I tasted them in a Christmas party. I was told that its a classic Christmas treat in Finland.
Provided by katia
Categories Dessert
Time 2h
Yield 15 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix all the ingredients expect from the egg and the marlalade. Make a dough and let it cool about 1 hour.
- Roll the dough into a big circle and cut into small ones, by using a mug.
- Place one teaspoon of marmalade at the middle of the circle and pinch the edges.
- Beat the egg and shine the tarts.
- Place on cookie sheets and bake at 470F for 30 minutes.
FINNISH RUNEBERG TORTES
The story tells that Fredrika Runeberg, the wife of a famous Finnish writer J.L. Runeberg, invented this delicious recipe (which is now a traditional and beloved dessert) for her husband's friends on their unexpected visit. She used what she had in her kitchen: crumbs of gingerbread biscuits, her husband's rum, etc.
Provided by Annleih
Time 1h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a muffin tin.
- Mix flour, crushed gingersnaps, almond flour, and baking powder together in a medium bowl.
- Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a separate bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and beat until thoroughly combined. Mix in rum extract. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add cream and beat until smooth.
- Divide cake mixture evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Press a small hole in the middle of each cake and fill with a small amount of jam.
- Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add egg white and stir until smooth and shiny. Pipe icing onto the cooled cakes in a ring around the jam.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 257.2 calories, Carbohydrate 28.2 g, Cholesterol 62.4 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 100.9 mg, Sugar 19.9 g
Tips for Making Finnish Tarts
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the tarts will taste.
- Make sure the butter is cold and cut into small pieces. This will help to create a flaky crust.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the crust tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help to prevent the dough from shrinking in the oven.
- Use a sharp knife to cut out the tart shells. This will help to prevent the dough from tearing.
- Bake the tart shells until they are golden brown. This will help to ensure that they are cooked through.
- Let the tart shells cool completely before filling them. This will help to prevent the filling from leaking out.
- Use a variety of fillings for your tarts. Some popular fillings include jam, fruit, and custard.
- Serve the tarts warm or at room temperature.
Conclusion
Finnish tarts are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a formal party. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make Finnish tarts at home. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
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