Swedish Sugar Cookies
Sweet and buttery Swedish sugar cookies with a delicate crunch, perfect for festive occasions or as a charming treat for friends and family.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix sugar, shortening, egg, butter flavoring, and vanilla until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Shape the dough into walnut-sized balls.
- Press each ball with a sugared glass to flatten slightly.
- At Christmastime, decorate with red and green sugars as desired.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or less until lightly golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using half butter and half shortening. If you don't have butter flavoring, you can omit it or use an extra splash of vanilla. To enhance the flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or almond extract. Remember to chill the dough for 30 minutes if it's too soft to handle. This will make shaping the balls easier and help prevent spreading during baking.
Serving Suggestions
These Swedish sugar cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat alongside a cup of coffee or tea. They pair beautifully with a Pine-O-Frost Drink for a festive touch. For an added festive flair, serve them on a platter garnished with seasonal decorations or alongside other holiday cookies like 'Ma' Esther'S Hermit Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. To reheat, place cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Swedish Sugar Cookies contains roughly 131 calories, with 3g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 1g fat.
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
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough is too sticky to handle, try chilling it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will firm it up and make it easier to shape. Alternatively, you can add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
You can decorate the cookies with colored sugars or sprinkles before baking. During the holiday season, adding red and green sugars gives them a festive touch. Additionally, consider drizzling a simple icing over the cooled cookies for extra sweetness and decoration.
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).