Pepparkakor a Spicy Sweet Traditional Swedish Christmas Cookies

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.

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.

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

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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

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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

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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:

• Almond Shortbread Bites by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Brown Sugar Ice Box Cookies by West Via Midwest
• Chocolate Dipped Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie by Lemon Blossoms
• Chocolate Pecan Cookie Crisps by Eat Move Make
• Christmas Checkerboard Cookies by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Christmas Chippity Chip Cookies by Daily Dish Recipes
• Christmas Tree Cookies by Swirls of Flavor
• Cinnamon Snowball Cookies by Jersey Girl Cooks
• French Toast Cookies by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Frosty Ginger Cookies by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Ginger Snap Cookies by Devour Dinner
• Holiday Coins by Family Around the Table
• Italian Christmas Cookies by Blogghetti
• Meringue Christmas Trees Two Ways by Art of Natural Living
• New York-Style Black & Whites by Kate's Recipe Box
• Pecan Crescent Cookies by Palatable Pastime
• Pepparkakor by That Recipe
• Peppermint Cream Cheese Crushed Oreo Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Reindeer Haystacks by Leftovers Then Breakfast
• Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies by Sweet Beginnings
• Soft Italian Wedding Cookies by Making Miracles
• Sweet Potato Pecan Cookies by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Turtle Cookies by An Affair from the Heart
• Vegan Italian Wine Cookies by Frugal & Fit
• Whipped Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Zimstern - German Cinnamon Stars by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures