In Sweden, the holiday season is a time of warmth, love, and festive baking traditions. One such beloved treat that fills homes with the comforting scents of the season is Julpepparkakor, Swedish Christmas Gingerbread cookies. These delightful cookies are not only delicious but also a fun activity to make with loved ones during the holidays. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a batch of these festive and flavorful treats to enjoy and share with family and friends.
Julpepparkakor Christmas Gingerbread
Ingredients:
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 tablespoon ground ginger
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup molasses
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well until fully combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes such as gingerbread people, stars, hearts, or any festive designs you prefer.
8. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. Be careful not to overbake, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Once cooled, you can decorate the cookies with icing, sprinkles, or leave them plain for a more rustic look.
These Julpepparkakor Christmas Gingerbread cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday gathering or a thoughtful gift for friends and family. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa by the fireplace or package them up as a homemade treat, these cookies are sure to spread joy and cheer this holiday season. Get creative with your decorations and have fun baking these festive Swedish cookies with your loved ones. Happy baking and happy holidays!
