Pepparkakor: Swedish-style Holiday Ginger Snaps

Originally these cookies were far spicier than they are today.  Pepparkakor means pepper biscuits, not ingefärakakor – ginger biscuits, because they contained lots of pepper.  Nowadays many modern recipes do not contain any pepper at all and this recipe contains a small amount. In this recipe cinnamon and ground cloves dominate with background flavors of ginger and cardamom.

How to make Pepparkakor Cookies

Makes: ~3 dozen

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum – I like Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp fine ground pepper

Wet Ingredients

• ¼ cup non-dairy butter (or melted coconut oil)
• 2 Tbsp molasses + 2 Tbsp water
• 2 tsp stevia glycerite (this tastes sweet, with no bitterness)
• 1 egg

Equipment

• rolling pin, mixing bowls, baking tray(s)
• parchment paper – for baking sheets & if dough is sticking to the counter/rolling pin
• very thin spatula – the cut cookie dough holds together surprisingly well, and this will help you move them to the baking sheet

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Whisk wet ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine until dough is firm & slightly sticky, then cover and chill in fridge overnight (at least 12 hours).
4. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
5. Roll dough very thin, cut into shapes (cookie cutters), and bake 10–14 minutes, until edges slightly deepen in color. Let cool fully (they crisp as they cool).

They’re absolutely delightful eaten warm & crispy with a cup of non-dairy milk (we like Nutpods brand).

Tips

• Plan a day ahead – the dough must rest in the fridge overnight.
• Take small amounts of dough out of the fridge at a time, roll and cut. At room temperature it is far more difficult to handle.
• When I bake these I roll thin ones for eating and slightly thicker ones for tree decorations.
• These delicate cookies are very simple to make, but fresh spices are crucial to the taste.
• Add almonds slivers, (chopped) to the dough.