Description
These Swedish Pepparkakor, or gingersnaps, are the perfect blend of warm spices, sweetness, and a satisfying crunch. Infused with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these cookies are a staple of Swedish holiday traditions, especially during Christmas. They are deeply flavorful, crispy, and the perfect treat for gifting or serving at your next holiday gathering. With their aromatic spice blend and the option to decorate with royal icing, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Ingredients
1 ¼ sticks unsalted butter (150g)
¾ cup granulated sugar (170g)
¼ cup brown sugar (60g)
2 ½ tablespoons molasses (50g)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (20g)
½ tablespoon cardamom pods, shelled and seeds ground finely
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ tablespoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (450g)
Royal icing (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Place the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Stir over low heat until the butter melts completely.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the ground cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Stir in the baking soda and kosher salt until evenly mixed.
- Pour in the warm water and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Gradually sift in the flour, stirring constantly until no streaks of flour remain. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
- Transfer the dough into a heatproof bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one night. The dough can rest for up to a week.
- When ready to bake, remove a portion of dough from the refrigerator and knead it in your hands to warm it up slightly.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and roll it out to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Place the cut-out dough on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 10 minutes before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the chilled dough for 5-8 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
- If desired, decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing.
Notes
- Vegan Version: Use dairy-free butter and maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly version.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free cookies.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or more ground black pepper to the dough for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Cook Time: 5-8 minutes per batch
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish, Scandinavian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
