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Pepparkakor a Spicy Sweet Traditional Swedish Christmas Cookies

Filed Under: Desserts, Holidays

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Pepparkakor are traditional Swedish Christmas Cookies. They are similar to ginger snaps with a crispy texture and a sweet and spicy taste.

I received compensation from Anolon for this post. The recipe and opinions are my own.

Pepparkakor are a spicy sweet ginger snap cookie that is traditionally made at Christmas time in Scandinavia.

Santa tray with cookies on it and text overlay sweet and spicy Pepparkakor"

This recipe is adapted from one my mother-in-law makes every Christmas. I think these are the absolute best ginger snaps I have ever had. My husband and son might not know that she puts them in our annual cookie tray because I am quick to sneak them away.

According to John at Swedish Food, the cookies used to contain pepper and were used for medicinal purposes. He also mentions that he likes to serve them topped with blue cheese and a touch of cloudberry jam! I will need to bake some more and give that a try.

Homemade Cookie Mix

Have you ever noticed that many cookies use the same basic ingredients?

This recipe is one of four I am sharing this week that use my Homemade Cookie Mix. Each cookie recipe starts with the same basic mix but ends up completely different looking and tasting.

Christmas Cookies on a Santa tray

Make a batch of the cookie mix and keep it in the fridge or freezer so you can quickly whip up a batch of cookies when the urge strikes. Or make a double or triple batch to make Christmas cookie baking a little easier.

Pepparkakor

cut out cookies on a baking tray with text overlay "sweet and spicy Pepparkakor"
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Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups Basic Cookie Mix (recipe below)
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • flour for rolling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Combine on low speed until a soft dough forms, about 1 minute. Do not over mix. If dough seems too dry add a tablespoon of water.
  • Roll out dough to ⅛ inch thick on a floured board.
  • Cut into desired shapes and place on a baking sheet about an inch apart.
  • Bake until center of the cookie looks set, about 7-8 minutes at 375°F.
  • Move cookies to a cooling rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Basic Cookie Mix

cup of cookie mix on a counter with cookie scoop and rolling pin and text overlay "homemade cookie mix"
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Ingredients
 

  • 8 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 ½ cups shortening or chilled coconut oil ((butter flavor coconut oil is amazing!))

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt and baking soda.
  • Cut in shortening or coconut oil with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture looks like fine crumbs.
  • Store mixture in zip-to-lock or other air tight containers in the refrigerator for up to 10 weeks.
  • To use: Scoop out with a dry measuring cup and level with a knife or spatula.

Notes

Makes about 12-13 cups of cookie mix.

More Cookie Mix Cookie Recipes

cookies on a cooling rack with bag of pecans and text overlay "easy toffee cookie bars"
Toffee Bars
cookies on a baking pan with text overlay "cherry coconut drop cookies"
Cherry Coconut Jumbles
cookies on a Santa plate with text overlay "very versatile chocolate bonbons"
Chocolate Bonbons

Get More Christmas Cookie Recipes

Get even more Christmas Cookie recipes in our eBook Bake the Season Bright available on Kindle.

FREE for the week of November 9-13, 2020 ONLY.

Christmas Cookie Week Recipes

Welcome to #ChristmasCookies week where more than 25 bloggers are sharing cookie recipes perfect for your holiday celebrations. Hosted by Ellen from Family Around the Table, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures and Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks, we invite you to not only check out the recipes but enter the amazing giveaway.

Don’t miss one delicious cookie recipe! Follow along on Pinterest.

Here are some of the cookies our blogging friends are sharing today:

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