Best 8 Pepparkakor Nordic Ginger Cookies Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Pepparkakor: A Nordic Culinary Delight**

Pepparkakor, often referred to as Nordic ginger cookies, are a beloved treat originating from Sweden and widely cherished throughout Scandinavia. These delectable cookies hold a special place in the region's culinary heritage, particularly during the Christmas season. Pepparkakor captivates taste buds with its unique blend of warm, aromatic spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, which harmonize with a subtle sweetness. Traditionally crafted with molasses or dark syrup, these cookies possess a characteristic dark brown hue and crispy texture that melts in the mouth. While pepparkakor are commonly enjoyed as a simple yet satisfying snack, they also serve as versatile ingredients in various desserts, adding a touch of Nordic charm and flavor to cakes, pies, and ice cream. Embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the diverse recipes featured in this article, offering you a chance to recreate these Nordic ginger cookies in your own kitchen. From classic pepparkakor to creative variations infused with unique flavors and ingredients, these recipes cater to a range of preferences, ensuring that everyone can savor the magic of pepparkakor.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

SWEDISH PEPPARKAKOR COOKIES



Swedish Pepparkakor Cookies image

This traditional Swedish Pepparkakor Recipe makes deliciously crisp spice cookies with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. They're a Scandinavian Christmas tradition and they're absolutely fabulous!

Provided by Sue Moran

Categories     Dessert

Number Of Ingredients 15

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey, scant (100 ml)
1/2 cup milk, scant (100 ml)
9 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tsp salt
1.5 tsp ground clove
1.5 tsp ground cardamom
3 tsp ground cinnamon
1.5 tsp ground ginger
4 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking soda
3-4 cups powdered sugar, or more if planning to cover the whole cookie.
water, to thin
a few drops food coloring (optional)
pearl sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

  • Add the sugar, honey, and milk to a small saucepan. When measuring a "scant" cup of the honey and the milk, you want to it to be just under 1/2 cup, but not closer to 1/3 cup. If you can measure in milliliters, its exactly 100 milliliters.
  • Bring to a boil then turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
  • Add the butter and the spices to a mixing bowl, and pour the warm syrup mixture over them. Mix until the butter is melted and everything is combined.
  • Sift the baking soda, salt, and flour together, and then add to the butter and the syrup mixture. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
  • Shape the dough into a flat disk, and chill in the fridge overnight or up to 48 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Roll out dough to about 3/8" thick and cut out using cookie cutters.
  • Arrange cookies on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, until slightly puffed and golden.
  • Allow to cool completely before icing.
  • Mix the powdered sugar with just enough water to make a smooth but thick glaze. Divide the icing into smaller batches if you want to make different colors. You can also flavor the icing with a little vanilla extract or almond extract if you'd like. For pipping lines and small designs, keep your icing pretty thick so that it won't spread, there should be a little resistance when mixing it with a whisk. For covering the entire cookie like the green and blue reindeer, add a bit more water to the icing so that it goes on smoothly and is easier to cover the whole cookie before it starts to dry and crack. Try some icing on a test cookie if you're not sure about the texture!
  • For the light blue color I used, add 2-3 drops of food coloring to 1 cup or so of glaze.
  • For the darker green/blue color, add a couple drops of green and blue, and a tiny touch of red to tone the color down a bit.
  • Place the icing in ziplock bags or a piping bag fitted with a very small tip. Cut a tiny corner off of the ziplock bags if using. Decorate, and allow to harden completely before moving or stacking.

SWEDISH GINGER SNAPS (PEPPARKAKOR)



Swedish Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor) image

A truly special Swedish ginger snap with a crispy outer edge and a pleasantly chewy center. The perfect fika treat!

Provided by Kristi

Categories     Fika

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups pastry flour OR 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour and ¼ cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 cup granulated sugar (more if needed)

Steps:

  • Whisk pastry flour (or all-purpose flour and cornstarch), baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Combine butter, sugar and molasses in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed until mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This will take longer if you are mixing by hand. Reduce speed to low and add the egg. Mix until fully combined.
  • Add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Using a spatula, transfer dough to a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to one day or, alternatively, place dough in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. The dough will be easier to work with if it is well-chilled.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 1/2 cup of sugar in a small bowl and find a drinking glass with a flat bottom.
  • Remove a portion of the dough from the refrigerator. Tearing off one small piece at a time, roll dough between your palms into a small ball about 1/2 -3/4 inch in diameter. Dough will be sticky. Place dough ball in the bowl of sugar and roll it around until it is completely coated. Place ball on prepared baking sheet.
  • Continue with remaining dough until baking sheet is filled, leaving at least 1 inch of space between each dough ball on the baking sheet. Dip the bottom of the drinking glass into the bowl of sugar and press down on each ball flattening it into a disc approximately 1/4 inch thick. Be sure to dip the glass in the sugar before flattening each cookie.
  • Place baking sheet in the oven and bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are just set. Do not over bake if you want the center of the cooke to remain slightly chewy. Let cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough, rechilling the dough as necessary if it becomes difficult to work with.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 43 kcal, Sugar 4 g, Sodium 52 mg, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Carbohydrate 6 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, Cholesterol 7 mg, 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.

PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES)



Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) image

Provided by The Redhead Baker

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
8 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoon white sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, both sugars, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, orange extract, salt, cloves, and pepper. As the butter melts, whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat. Cool until just warm to the touch, about 30 minutes.
  • Whisk the egg into the cooled mixture until smooth. Pour over the dry ingredients and fold with a rubber spatula until no dry flour remains. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
  • Heat the oven to 350 F with racks in the upper- and lower-middle positions. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Working with a tablespoonful of dough at a time, use dampened hands to roll into balls. Arrange 12 dough balls on each baking sheet, spacing evenly.
  • Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the balls on each sheet and use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to flatten each to about ¼ inch thick. Remove the plastic and bake until richly browned, 14 to 16 minutes, switching and rotating the baking sheets halfway through to ensure even baking. Cool on the sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

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 (SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES)



Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) image

Make and share this Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by lazyme

Categories     Dessert

Time 25m

Yield 10 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, well beaten
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Steps:

  • Heat molasses in small saucepan to boiling point.
  • Boil 1 minute.
  • Add sugar and butter and stir until butter is melted.
  • Cool.
  • Beat in egg.
  • Sift together flour, salt, soda and spices.
  • Add to first mixture and mix thoroughly.
  • Cover bowl tightly and chill overnight.
  • Roll out a portion of the dough at a time on lightly floured pastry cloth.
  • Roll out thin.
  • Cut into desired shapes.
  • Bake in a moderate oven (350F) 6 to 8 minutes.
  • The dough may be shaped into a roll and wrapped in waxed paper.
  • Chill thoroughly overnight or longer.
  • Slice thin and bake in moderate oven (350F).
  • These should be stored in an air-tight container - allow flavor to "ripen".

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.6, Fat 10, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 45.5, Sodium 168.9, Carbohydrate 46.6, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 19.5, Protein 4

PEPPARKAKOR (NORDIC GINGER COOKIES)



PEPPARKAKOR (NORDIC GINGER COOKIES) image

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 piece RawSpiceBar's Gingerbread Spices
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 piece egg well beaten
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Heat molasses in small saucepan to boiling point, let boil about 1 minute.
  • Add sugar and butter and stir until butter is melted, let cool. Beat in egg.
  • Sift together flour, salt, soda and RawSpiceBar's Gingerbread spices.
  • Add to first mixture and mix thoroughly.
  • Roll out a portion of the dough at a time on lightly floured pastry cloth and roll into thin layers.
  • Cut into desired shapes.
  • Bake in a moderate oven (350F) 6-8 minutes.

PEPPARKAKOR (NORDIC GINGER COOKIES)



PEPPARKAKOR (NORDIC GINGER COOKIES) image

These spicy, buttery, crispy & thin gingery cookies are a family tradition Norway. They are delightfully old fashioned and are often used as window decorations for the holiday season. You will find pepparkakors at every social gathering throughout the month of December. More importantly, they're the best complement to a warm mug of glögg!

Provided by RawSpiceBar

Categories     Vegetable

Time 40m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 . set 1 pouch rawspicebar's gingerbread seasoning
2 . set 1/2 cup molasses
3 . set 1/2 cup sugar
4 . set 1/2 cup butter
5 . set 1 eggs, well beaten
6 . set 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
7 . set 1/4 teaspoon salt
8 . set 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Heat molasses in small saucepan to boiling point, let boil about 1 minute.
  • Add sugar and butter and stir until butter is melted, let cool. Beat in egg.
  • Sift together flour, salt, soda and RawSpiceBar's Gingerbread spices.
  • Add to first mixture and mix thoroughly.
  • Roll out a portion of the dough at a time on lightly floured pastry cloth and roll into thin layers.
  • Cut into desired shapes.
  • Bake in a moderate oven (350F) 6-8 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.7, Fat 3, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 116.2, Sodium 44.4, Carbohydrate 0.2, Sugar 0.1, Protein 3.9

Tips:

  • Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.
  • Use fresh spices: Freshly ground spices will give the cookies the best flavor. If you don't have fresh spices, you can use store-bought, but be sure to use a light hand.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cookies at a low temperature: Baking the cookies at a low temperature helps them to develop a chewy texture.
  • Let the cookies cool completely: Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will help them to keep their shape and flavor.

Conclusion:

Pepparkakor are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for the holidays. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect pepparkakor that will be the hit of your next holiday party.

Related Topics