Best 6 Gingerbread Dough Pepparkakor Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful world of Swedish Christmas baking with our collection of Pepparkakor (Gingerbread Cookies) recipes. These iconic cookies, known for their distinct flavor and intricate shapes, are a staple of the holiday season in Sweden and beyond. From the classic Pepparkakor recipe to variations like Chocolate-Dipped Pepparkakor, Gingerbread Men, and Pepparkakor Hearts, our guide offers a range of options to suit every taste. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will ensure your Pepparkakor turn out perfectly crisp, flavorful, and visually appealing. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked gingerbread.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

TRADITIONAL SWEDISH PEPPARKAKOR



Traditional Swedish Pepparkakor image

These thin, crispy spice cookies are a Christmas tradition in Sweden. They're usually cut into heart, flower or star shapes. Dusting your cookie cutters with flour will make it easier to cut the dough.

Provided by Eal

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Scandinavian

Time 1h35m

Yield 100

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 47.4 calories, Carbohydrate 7 g, Cholesterol 6.7 mg, Fat 1.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 39.9 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

PEPPARKAKOR



Pepparkakor image

Pepparkakor, the Swedish version of gingerbread, are crisp and spiced cookies, also known as peparkake, and pepperkake in Norway, or piparkakku in Finland.

Provided by Vera Abitbol

Categories     Dessert     Snack

Time 51m

Number Of Ingredients 20

6 cups flour (, sifted)
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup light sugar syrup
½ cup water
½ cup butter (, cut into pieces)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups icing sugar
1 egg white
2 teaspoons white vinegar (or squeezed lemon)
Stand mixer
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Cooling rack
Pastry bag

Steps:

  • Add the brown sugar, syrup and water into a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil and immediately remove the pot from the heat.
  • Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and add the spices.
  • Pour the hot sweet mixture over it and stir until the butter melts. Let cool for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  • Combine the sifted flour and baking soda and add over the mixture in the bowl of the stand mixer.
  • Using the flat beater, mix everything very quickly until a soft dough forms.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator between 24 and 48 hours.
  • Preheat the convection oven to 400 F (200°C).
  • Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces.
  • Start by working a piece of dough and place the other two in the refrigerator during this time.
  • On a floured work surface, roll out the dough thinly and form the pepparkakor using cutters in the shape of a heart, star, tree, snowman, or others.
  • Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake for 4 to 6 minutes or until light brown.
  • Watch the baking closely because pepparkakor tend to burn quickly.
  • Repeat the operation until all the dough set aside in the refrigerator is used up.
  • Place the pepparkakor on a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.
  • Beat the egg white in a bowl.
  • Add the icing sugar and vinegar and beat until the mixture is neither too runny nor too thick.
  • Add a little vinegar or lemon juice if the mixture is too thick or on the contrary, add a little icing sugar if the mixture is too liquid.
  • Pour the icing into a piping bag fitted with a tip and decorate the cookies.
  • Carefully place each cookie on a cooling rack and allow the frosting to set in the open air for at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 58 kcal, Carbohydrate 12 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Sodium 21 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES)



Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) image

Categories     Cookies     Ginger     Dessert     Bake     Christmas     Winter     Christmas Eve     Party     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes about 9 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Pearl sugar (for dusting)
Equipment:
2 large baking sheets; 2 nonstick baking mats, such as Silpats, or parchment paper; rolling pin; cookie cutters; wax paper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a small saucepan over moderate heat, warm the corn syrup and orange zest. Add the butter and sugar and continue warming, stirring occasionally, until melted. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the egg and whisk to combine. Pour over the flour mixture and stir to combine. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap, and chill overnight.
  • Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with nonstick baking mats, such as Silpats, or parchment paper.
  • Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out a portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes, such as circles, stars, hearts, bells, gingerbread men, and Christmas trees. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with the pearl sugar. Bake, switching the cookies between the upper and lower racks and rotating the baking sheets about halfway through baking, until the edges are just beginning to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Watch the cookies carefully to make sure they don't get too brown.
  • Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to let cool completely. Continue rolling and cutting out the rest of the cookie dough and baking the cookies on cooled baking sheets. DO AHEAD: Pepparkakor can be baked ahead and kept, stored between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container, for up to 2 weeks, or frozen up to 1 month.

GINGERBREAD DOUGH



Gingerbread Dough image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Number Of Ingredients 17

6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, or allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 cup dark molasses
1 tablespoon water
Royal Icing, recipe follows
1 large egg white
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon powdered egg whites
2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • Whisk all the dry ingredients together thoroughly and set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the eggs, molasses, and water and beat until well combined.
  • Beat half of the flour mixture into the mixer until blended and smooth. Add the remaining flour mixture and then knead the dough until firm and manageable, but not dry. Add more flour if the dough is wet.
  • Place the dough in a sealable container or zip-top bag in a cool place for up to 2 hours. If you make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it, bring to room temperature before working the dough.
  • When ready to roll out the dough, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray your cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
  • Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes, working in small batches and keeping the remaining dough in an airtight container so that it does not dry out. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. The gingerbread will be light brown when it is done. Let cool before icing.
  • Combine egg white and powdered sugar in a microwaveable bowl and microwave until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. The best way to do this is to microwave the mixture on high power, stopping every 20 seconds to take the temperature; it will take about 2 minutes and 40 seconds, but cook time will vary based on microwaves. Make sure to use clean utensils each time you check the icing. The other option is to microwave the mixture for 45 seconds on high, but the consistency will not be as good.
  • Beat on high speed until the icing cools and holds a stiff peak, about 2 minutes. If the icing needs to be thicker, add up to 2/3 cup more sugar; you will probably need to add about 1/3 cup more sugar. Food coloring can be added, if desired. Work with the icing in small amounts, keeping the remaining icing in an airtight container, as it will dry quickly.
  • Beat all ingredients together in the bowl of a mixer until stiff peaks form. Food coloring can be added, if desired. Work with the icing in small amounts, keeping the remaining icing in an airtight container, as it will dry quickly. The icing can be re-beaten if necessary.

PEPPARKAKA (NORDIC GINGERBREAD) DOUGH



Pepparkaka (Nordic Gingerbread) Dough image

This is the traditional Nordic gingerbread version known as pepparkaka or pepperkakor, meaning "pepper cake". Actually the main star of the spices on this recipe is neither ginger or pepper, but actually cinnamon. This dough makes highly aromatic Christmas cookies or houses which aroma only improves with age. It's a smell that the wintery memories are made of, my own at the very least. I have also written the recipe in Finnish, here: https://www.kotikokki.net/reseptit/nayta/864430/Piparkakkutaikina/

Provided by Annastiina Salonen @Elaini

Categories     Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

125 gram(s) butter
100 milliliter(s) molasses
150 milliliter(s) granulated sugar
2 teaspoon(s) cinnamon
1 teaspoon(s) ginger
½ teaspoon(s) cloves
1 teaspoon(s) cardamom (opt.)
1 teaspoon(s) bitter orange zest (opt.)
1 - egg
500 milliliter(s) wheat flour
2 teaspoon(s) baking soda

Steps:

  • 1. Bring the butter, molasses, sugar and the dried and powdered spices into a boil in a kettle. 2. Keep boiling the mix on a low heat for a few minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly but not too long. If it keeps boiling too long then the result may be a dough that's difficult to handle with pieces of hard candy. 3. Cool the mixture down in a cold water bath (for example). Remember to mix it from the edges to the center so the temperature goes down evenly. 4. When the mix is still warm but slightly cooled down (around 60-70°C), add the egg and mix well.
  • 1. Mix the flour and baking soda together. 2. Gradually add the flour mix into the caramel, knead them in if necessary. 3. Once the dough has cooled to a room temperature then put it into the fridge and let it settle there overnight. The dough will get a somewhat waxy texture. It can also be frozen.
  • Baking the dough: 1. Heat the oven to 200°C. 2. Dust a work surface with some flour, especially the center. 3. Use a rolling pin to make a thin sheet our of the dough and use either cookie cutters or self made patterns to cut shapes out of it. 4. The dough "breathes" in the oven. The cookies first rise and then resettle as flat which will only take a few minutes. They have browned slightly once they're done. If you're making a gingerbread house for instance and want some round walls then press the still hot walls against a bottle and allow them to cool down on it.
  • Decoration: Decorate the cookies as desired once they have cooled down, using royal icing, sprinkles, candies etc. However, notice that the cookies absorb the moisture easily so give them time to dry. If you pipe dots of the royal icing on the roof eaves of a gingerbread house and then quickly pull it off, you'll easily create "icicles".

PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH GINGERBREAD) RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Pepparkakor (Swedish Gingerbread) Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by á-178044

Number Of Ingredients 9

7.9 ounces plain flour
2.1 ounces unsalted butter
2.6 ounces light muscavado sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon golden syrup
3 to 4 tablespoons whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Steps:

  • Cream the butter and sugar together then bit by bit add the flour, bicarbonate of soda and cream until the dough has formed. It's quite a dense and sticky dough so took a while for it to all come together. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least an hour but up to a day. Preheat your oven to 170°C/350°F (fan oven). Roll the dough until about a millimeter thin - I found that as the dough is so sticky (and didn't want to use any extra flour), rolling it between sheets of cling film worked really well! Cut out pieces of dough using your favorite cutters. Bake for between 6 to 8 minutes until the edges start to brown and cool on a baking rack. Leave plain or decorate using your favorite icing recipe.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ginger. Fresh ginger has a more intense flavor than ground ginger, and it will give your pepparkakor a more authentic taste.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing the dough will make it tough. Mix it just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the dough before rolling it out. Chilling the dough will make it easier to roll out and will help prevent it from sticking to your work surface.
  • Use a light touch when rolling out the dough. Don't press down too hard, or you will end up with thick, dense cookies.
  • Bake the cookies at a low temperature. This will help prevent them from burning and will give them a chance to develop their flavor.

Conclusion:

Pepparkakor are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for the holiday season. They are easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways. With a little planning, you can make pepparkakor that will impress your friends and family.

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