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 post is part of Christmas Cookies Week 2020. Be sure to keep scrolling to see all of today’s fabulous recipes and to enter the giveaway thanks to our amazing sponsors: Adams Extract, Anolon Cookware, Millican Pecan Company, Sweets and Treats.
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
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
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
Get More Christmas Cookie Recipes
Get even more Christmas Cookie recipes in our eBook Bake the Season Bright available on Kindle.
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Christmas Cookie Week Recipes & Giveaway
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
The Giveaway
Prize 1: Tower of Treats from Millican Pecan Company
Originally founded as the West Texas Pecan Nursery in the late 1800’s, Millican Pecan is now in 5th generation ownership. Located in San Saba, TX, the family continues the tradition of pecan farming while also branching the business into the online world. The family also enjoys educating people about pecans. One winner will receive The Tower of Treats Gift Tins. The tower includes 3 decorative gift tins stacked on top of each other. The bottom tin includes our 2 lb. Chocolate Pecan Sampler, the middle tin is our Flavored Pecan Sampler and the top tin is an 8 oz. tin of Milk Chocolate Caramillicans (similar to Turtles). An $80 value.
Prize 2: An Assortment of Flavored Extracts from Adams Extract and Spices
In January 2013, Adams, one of the oldest continuously operated companies in Texas and one of oldest spice and extract companies in the United States, celebrated its 125th birthday and was awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award, an award sponsored by State Bill 920 that recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 years and pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the state’s economic growth and prosperity.
Today, Adams proudly manufactures and markets under several Adams Brand banners, including Adams Best®, Adams Extract®, Adams® Seasoning & Spice, Adams Reserve®, Flavor King™, Pantry Basics™, Sear-n-Crust®, ClearVan™, Carniceria®, Cocina del Rey®, Naturals™, and Urban Canner™ along with the Adams Frozen Skillet Desserts and Adams Premium Ice Cream lines. In addition, Adams is proud to manufacture for some of the nations most respected Private Label Brands as well as other legacy Regional Seasoning Brands and is used to flavor many commercially produced food products around the nation.
Prize 3: A Set of Baking Pans from Anolon
Established in the 1950’s, Meyer Manufacturing started by making and selling flashlights. In 1971 they started their journey into selling cookware. By 1986 they released the world’s first hard-anodized nonstick cookware which revolutionized the world of home cooking. Their nonstick surface didn’t flake or scratch easily.
Today they sell bakeware with nonstick interior and exterior made with a special sapphire-reinforced blend that is triple coated. NOTE: Color may vary from the photo above.
Prize 4: An Assorted Baking Box from Sweets & Treats
Make Sweets & Treats your one-stop shop for all your holiday sprinkle needs. In addition to fun, festive and colorful sprinkles, Sweets & Treats offers cupcake liners, edible glitters, sugars, and more.
Founded in 2010 by Shannon Harvey out of an industry need for bold, bright cupcake liners and baking supplies that are the life of the party! Based in Louisiana, Sweets & Treats is a designer cupcake liner manufacturer and party supply company that creates exclusive greaseproof cupcake liners, sprinkles, sprinkle mixes, paper straws, and other baking supplies.
Four (4) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen.
The #ChristmasCookies bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway open to US Residents only who are 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookies posts or entry.
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Love all the spices and molasses in these, sounds perfect for the holidays!
Another great use for molasses…thank goodness I just stocked up for the holidays!
Totally on my list to make! They’re one those Swedish cookies on my list to make in honor of my ancestry. They look so scrumptious.