Farmors Pepparkakor: Grandmother’s Gingerbread Cookies
Farmors Pepparkakor: Grandmother’s Gingerbread Cookies are thin and crisp. Making these cookies is always a highlight of Christmas for me.
Distinctive Recipe
I have named these cookies Farmors Pepparkakor as the recipe comes from my farmor, my paternal grandmother. While modern pepparkakor are heavily spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, my grandmother’s recipe is a bit different. Her cookies have a more subtle flavor, using only cloves and orange zest. I prefer this recipe because it’s what I grew up with, although I’m not sure why my grandmother’s recipe is different. My Great Aunt Kristina, her sister, makes a recipe with cinnamon and ginger as well as cloves and orange. Perhaps we used a more subtle recipe because my grandfather didn’t like cinnamon.
Origins and Tradition
Pepparkakor have a long history in Sweden. Gingerbread was introduced to Europe during the Middle Ages by crusaders who encountered similar spiced breads in the Middle East. In the 16th century, pepparkakor gained popularity in Sweden, particularly during the Christmas season. They were often shaped into festive designs. By the 19th century, Swedish bakers started producing pepparkakor commercially, making them widely available and extending their popularity beyond Sweden. Today, pepparkakor are enjoyed year-round, but they are still considered a Christmas cookie and are most popular during the holiday season.
Playful Pig-Shaped Cookies
Pepparkakor come in various shapes, with circles being common in commercial cookies. Hearts and pigs are popular shapes made by bakeries and home bakers.
The tradition of pig-shaped pepparkakor has ancient roots. It dates back to pagan festivals and customs in Scandinavia before Christianity. During the pagan Yule festival, which celebrated the winter solstice, pigs were symbolically sacrificed for abundance and prosperity.
With the merging of the Yule festival and Christmas due to Christianity’s influence, pigs continued to be associated with the holiday celebrations. Over time, pig-shaped pepparkakor cookies became a beloved symbol of the season.
All shapes of pepparkakor, including pigs, are often hung on Christmas trees or used as decorations in homes.
Pepparkakor hold a special place in Swedish culture. The thin and crisp texture, unique flavor, and cute shapes make them a delicious treat during the holiday season. Whether enjoyed at Christmas or throughout the year, Farmors Pepparkakor: Grandmother’s Gingerbread Cookies represent are a delicious taste of Swedish tradition.
Farmors Pepparkakor: Grandmother’s Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 285 g golden syrup (ljussirap or Lyle's golden syrup)
- 285 g sugar
- 285 g butter
- 2 eggs
- 830 g flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cloves preferably freshly ground
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Heat the golden syrup and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar is completely melted.
- Transfer the syrup mixture to a mixing bowl and add the butter to the saucepan gradually, stirring to cool down the syrup mixture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the ground cloves, orange zest, and baking soda to the mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour to the mixture, stirring until you have a workable dough. I used around 650g of flour, but adjust as needed.
- Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 175C/350F and line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Take a piece of dough from the fridge and roll it out on a well-floured surface until it is very thin. It should be so thin you can read through it. Use additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Cut out shapes from the rolled-out dough and place them on the prepared baking trays.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 8 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining dough.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before enjoying.