Best Swedish Cookies Recipes

SWEDISH BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add syrup. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough into eight portions. Roll each portion into a 9-in. log. Place 3 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into 1-in. slices. Remove to wire racks. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES)

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.

TRADITIONAL PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH SPICE COOKIES)

Steps:

• Sift together dry ingredients; set aside.
• Cream sugar and butter.
• Add egg and molasses.
• Blend in dry ingredients thoroughly. Let dough stand overnight for easy rolling.
• On a well-floured board, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness.
• Cut into shapes (we usually make gingerbread people) and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
• NOTE: Prep time does not include time to let dough rest overnight.

SWEDISH DREAM COOKIES (DROMMAR)

Steps:

• Sift together flour and salt.
• Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Beat in ammonium carbonate and almond extract until combined well. Mix in flour mixture at low speed just until blended, then stir in coconut. Form dough into a disk and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls and arrange 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.
• Bake cookies in batches in upper third of oven until pale golden around edges, 18 to 22 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

DRöMMAR - TRADITIONAL SWEDISH DREAM COOKIES

Steps:

• To make dream cookies: in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat sugar, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
• Add the canola oil slowly while mixing with the mixer.
• Mix flour and baking powder in separate bowl.
• Stir in flour mixture by hand to form a smooth dough.
• Place the dough in refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 300 F (150°C).
• Roll dream cookie dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the dream cookies are lightly browned with cracks on the surface.
• Note: Do not open the oven until cookies are done!

PEPPARKAKOR (SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES)

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".

SWEDISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, cardamom, and salt in a bowl.
• Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in a food processor, and process until smooth. Pulse in the egg, vanilla, and lemon zest until combined. Add the flour mixture and process to make a soft buttery dough. Divide the dough in half onto 2 (12-inch long) sheets of plastic wrap. Using the plastic, shape into rough logs. Refrigerate the dough logs for 30 minutes until just firm enough to shape into uniform logs, 8-inches long by 2-inches in diameter. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Scatter either the sanding sugars or toasted nuts on a work surface and roll the logs until completely coated. Cut into 1/4-inch thick cookies and space about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until golden around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool cookies on the pan on wire racks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

ROSETTE COOKIES/SWEDISH ROSETTES

Steps:

• Have ready: a jelly roll pan lined with several layers of paper toweling; powdered sugar in a shaker or sieve.
• Whisk eggs, milk, sugar and salt together. Sprinkle in flour a little at a time. Beat until smooth. Let batter sit for 30 minutes.
• Heat 3 - 4" of oil in a small, deep pan to 365°F.
• Stir batter.
• Heat rosette iron by submerging in hot oil for 10 seconds.
• Lift out, shake off excess oil and dip immediately into batter just so the top edge of the iron is even with the surface of the batter. If you dip it too far, the rosette won't come off the iron.
• Plunge the coated iron into the hot oil. Don't let the iron touch the sides or bottom of the pan.
• As soon as the batter puffs, gently pull the iron out. The rosette should slip back into the oil.
• When lightly browned, carefully lift out with a fork or slotted spoon and place on paper toweling to drain.
• Reheat iron and proceed with remaining batter. You'll have to work very quickly. The frying only takes a few seconds.
• Don't be tempted to fry more than two at a time. It will cool the oil too much and you'll get flabby, greasy rosettes. The oil should not go below 355°F.
• After you've fried a few, dust them with powdered sugar.

SWEDISH DREAM COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together shortening and butter. Gradually add sugar and almond extract. Mix on high speed for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the baker's ammonia with the boiling water, adding the water a little at a time. Add this to the butter mixture.
• Stir in the flour and coconut . Mix well.
• Drop cookies from a teaspoon onto a well greased cookie sheet. Bake cookies in preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes. Cookies should be set but not brown. Let cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before removing.

SWEDISH GROUND ALMOND SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the almonds out on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned or until they give off an aroma. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool completely. Grind to a consistency resembling rough sand in a food processor or blender. Be sure almonds are cool, or you will make almond butter.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the almond extract and milk. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt, and mix in along with the ground toasted almonds to form a soft dough. Refrigerate the dough for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help the cookies keep their shape after pressing.
• Lightly grease cookie sheets, and fill cookie press with dough. Press out cookies at least 1 inch apart depending on the size. You can experiment with different cookie designs. I've found most true Swedes tend to use the star shape, however, you're free to use whatever shape suits your fancy.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on the cookie sheets for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES WITH CRYSTALLIZED GINGER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses.
• Sift together flour, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and baking soda. Stir into batter. Stir in crystallized ginger. The batter will be thick. Roll into 1-inch (2.5cm) balls. Place granulated sugar on a plate. Dip balls into sugar. Place sugar-side up on cookie sheet about 3 inches (8cm) apart, as the cookies tend to spread when baking. Keep dough refrigerated between batches.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cracked on top, slightly firm to the touch and a golden colour. They will soften and crisp up as they cool. Cool on wire racks.

SWEDISH PECAN BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk, cream and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in finely chopped pecans. Roll into 3/4-in. balls. , In a small bowl, beat egg white. Dip balls in egg white, then roll in additional pecans. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each ball. Top each ball with a cherry half or fill with jelly. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Carefully remove to wire racks to cool.

SWEDISH SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine the flour and baking powder; gradually add to the creamed mixture. , Using a cookie press fitted with disk of your choice, press dough into desired shapes 1 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-11 minutes or until edges are firm and lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Frost as desired.

SWEDISH PECAN-TOPPED DREAM COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift cake flour, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl.
• Combine butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Shape dough into a 1-inch diameter log, wrap with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until firm, 1 hour to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and slice into 24 slices. Place on the prepared cookie sheets and press a pecan firmly into each slice.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 40 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

SWEDISH GINGER COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine all ingredients. Spin until dough forms.
• Chill the dough in the refrigerator for a few hours. Drop the dough in 1-tablespoon lumps on a cookie sheet, form into balls, roll in sugar, space 2 inches apart and press flat with fingers. Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes until dark brown. Let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a baking rack to finish cooling.

SWEDISH BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Place the eggs into a saucepan with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water; cool the eggs under cold running water. Peel eggs, separate yolks from whites. Sieve or finely grate yolks. Reserve whites for another use.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the egg yolks and the almond extract. Slowly mix in the flour, just until incorporated. Use a spritz style cookie maker to press cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven just until the edges begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

SWEDISH COOKIES (BRUNSCRACKERS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda.
• In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, and golden syrup; mix well. Stir in the flour and mix until just incorporated. Form dough into two, 1 inch thick elongated rolls the length of your cookie pan. Place them on the cookie pan with enough space in between for them to spread.
• Bake in preheated oven until they are light golden brown and have flattened; about 20 to 22 minutes if using margarine, or 13 to 15 minutes if using butter. Remove from oven and let cool slightly for about 3 minutes. Cut diagonally into 1 to 2 inch strips while still warm. Remove individual cookies to cool on a wire rack.

SWEDISH GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. In another bowl, whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, shortening, vanilla and enough water to reach spreading consistency. Decorate cookies with frosting and, if desired, Red Hots. , Freeze option: Transfer wrapped disks to a resealable plastic freezer bag; freeze. To use, thaw dough in refrigerator overnight or until soft enough to roll. Prepare, bake and decorate cookies as directed.

VANILJKAKOR (SWEDISH VANILLA COOKIES)

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar well.
• Gradually add sugar, and cream until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg yolk, vanilla and flour, blend thoroughly.
• Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on greased cookie sheet.
• Make a nice indentation in top of each cookie, I use the end (the handle end)of a wooden spoon for this.
• Put a little bit of jelly or jam into each indentation.
• Bake in 350º oven for at least 15 minutes or til pale golden yellow.
• Cool, then sift powdered sugar over them.
• *Tips for measuring four!
• When recipes say "flour, sifted", it means to measure the flour into a sifter, then sift into the rest of the ingredients.
• When a recipe says "sifted flour", that means that you sift flour into a separate bowl first, then measure it, then add to the rest of the ingredients. In this recipe, if you don't sift the flour first, you will be adding too much, and your dough will be a little dry and hard to work with.
• Also, lightly spoon your flour into your measuring cup, don't scoop it from the bag or your bowl. Scooping it compacts the flour and you will be adding too much whether it has been sifted first or not. (Then always level it off with the straight edge of a knife.).
• Some recipes are "forgiving", but baking recipes aren't always that forgiving! Correct measuring can be extremely important.
• Hope this helps! :).

SWEDISH BUTTER STRIPS OR MAPLE PECAN STRIPS (COOKIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (360° at high altitude).
• In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and salt; blend in remaining ingredients.
• Divide dough into 4 equal parts, and shape into 12" rolls.
• Place 3" apart on ungreased cookie sheets, and flatten with a floured fork to 1/4" high.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until delicately browned (golden) at the edges.
• Cool for a few minutes and cut with a sharp knife into 1" diagonals.