Swedish Pepparkakor
Swedish Pepparkakor are traditional spiced ginger cookies with warm cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel, perfect for holiday celebrations and enjoyed by all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring sugar, molasses, and syrup to the boiling point. Allow to cool.
- Add dried orange peel, shortening, eggs, soda, cloves, cinnamon, and ground cardamom to the cooled mixture.
- Add enough flour to make a stiff dough. Chill the dough.
- Roll the chilled dough thin and cut into desired shapes.
- Bake in a preheated oven until crisp and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger to the dough. If you don't have shortening, you can substitute with unsalted butter at a 1:1 ratio. Make sure to chill the dough adequately for easier rolling and cutting. If you want a less sweet version, reduce the sugar slightly and increase the spices to maintain flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These pepparkakor are perfect for holiday gatherings and make a delightful snack with coffee or tea. You can also serve them alongside Wine Sauce for a unique twist. For decoration, consider icing them with royal icing or adding festive sprinkles. They also pair well with Raspberry Fingers for a sweet platter.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover pepparkakor in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. To keep them crisp, you can place a piece of bread in the container. If you want to enjoy them warm, reheat briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Swedish Pepparkakor contains roughly 912 calories, with 4g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 62g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (115% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and iron (26% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 10g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of syrup?
Yes, you can substitute light corn syrup or agave syrup if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture might slightly change. If using a flavored syrup, it will also influence the overall taste of the cookies.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The pepparkakor are done when they are crispy and have turned a golden brown color. Keep an eye on them as they can bake quickly, usually within 8-12 minutes, depending on your oven and thickness of the cookies.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you're ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly before rolling out.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).