Pepparkakor (or Wish) Cookie

Pepparkakor (or Wish) Cookie

This very Swedish cookie is like a molasses cookie but with a little more zip. They are also called Wish cookies because you are to place a cookie in the palm of your hand. Then, make a wish. Using the index finger of your free hand, tap the cookie in the middle. Swedish tradition states that if the cookie breaks into three pieces, your wish will come true.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in egg, corn syrup, orange juice, and orange zest. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; stir into the creamed mixture until combined.

Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into shapes such as hearts, scalloped flowers, or even pigs with a cookie cutter. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool cookies on wire racks. They need to be crisp when cooled, so adjust your baking time as needed. Store in an airtight container.

A recipe for SuperDuper Crispy Gingersnaps can also be found in Farm Recipes & Food Secrets from the Norske Nook (970-753-0502).