[Regionally Marketed Snacks...]

Nevermind, I misread something...

[Christmas Cookies]

I've only been privy to the whole cooking process once (this year) but no, we didn't chill them. My mom did make a big deal out of making sure it was a thin layer of dough in the tin so that may help.

I really wish I had been more willing to learn all this younger. It just took 26 years to realize how important some of these family traditions are!

[Christmas Cookies]

Yay! We had a few cookies left for photographing! I really need to try using my husband's digital SLR camera for stuff like this but you'll get the idea anyway.

O, and the tart style ones are the Sandbakkelse and the sugary ones are Berlinerkranser....if it's not obvious.

[Trader Joe's Products (2002–2011)]

It's been really interesting reading these posts. I first heard about TJ's when planning our wedding and other brides were using TJ's for cheap goodies. Now there is a strong rumor that a store is going in two blocks from my parent's house. It should be interesting to check out!

[Christmas Cookies]

I haven't seen any Norwegian Christmas cookies yet so I will chime in with a couple of family favorites. My mom and grandma have made these every year and now I'm included on the tradition as my cousins haven't taken up much baking.

There are a few cookies left at home I think so I'll try to get photos up later tonight.

Berlinerkranser These look like sugary little wreaths and have a lovely dense texture.

Sandbakkelse Almost like mini-pie shells, these cookies lend themselves to being filled with anything sweet and scoopable, or just eaten alone.

I've been lucky enough to inherit a tattered copy of the "Cook Book of Tested Recipes" from my great-grandfather's church - The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church (Mindekirken). Even today they do services at least once a month in Norwegian!

[Berlinerkranser]

Berlinerkranser

Serves 40.

This is a traditional Norwegian Christmas cookie that is on the annual baking list for my grandma and mom, and now me.

The dipping can be a bit tricky but it's fun too.

• 
  

For dough:

• 2 raw egg yolks
  
• 2 hard boiled egg yolks
  
• 1/2 c sugar
  
• 1 c butter
  
• 2 c flour
  

For dipping:

• 1 c Perl Sugar
  
• 2 whisked egg whites
  

Work well together the raw and hard boiled egg yolks. Add the sugar. Work in the butter alternating with the flour to form a smooth dough.

Roll into long roll with the hands (about 1/2" thick). Cut this in to about 3" pieces. Then form each piece into a little roll. Make a circle of each roll, crossing the ends.

Dip each into slightly beaten egg whites, then into coarse (perl) sugar.

Bake a delicate brown 10 to 15 minutes at 300 F.

Keywords: Intermediate, Dessert, Cookie, Christmas

( RG1535 )

[Sandbakkelse]

Sandbakkelse

Serves 36 as Dessert.

This is a traditional Norwegian Christmas cookie that my mom and grandma have baked for as long as I can remember. Apparently since none of my cousins have taken up baking much, I am the torchbearer of the cookies.

Though they aren't intended to be filled, they definitely lend themselves to it. As kids, my brother and I love to put anything sweet and scoopable into these cookies but the hand down winner continues to be any kind of minty ice cream.

You can find actual sandbakkelse tins online but small fluted tart tins work too. We usually do 3" and 1.5".

• 3/4 c sugar
  
• 1 c butter
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 tsp almond extract
  
• 1-1/2 c flour
  

Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and dry ingredients. Add flour and mold into Sandbakkels forms. Bake in oven 300 F til golden brown.

Keywords: Easy, Cookie, Christmas

( RG1534 )