Embark on a flavorful journey to Sweden with Swedish Spice Cutouts—a treasured recipe brought to the United States by Lilly Decker’s sister, Judith, in 1928. Hailing from Clancy, Montana, this recipe carries a rich history and the heartwarming essence of family traditions. With just 25 minutes of preparation and chilling time, and 10 minutes of baking per batch, this delightful treat yields about 10 dozen cookies, making it a perfect choice for sharing joy and nostalgia with family and friends.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1½ cups butter, softened
- 1¾ cups packed dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅔ cup dark corn syrup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
- Slivered almonds (optional)
- Frosting of your choice (optional)
PREPARATIONS:
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and dark brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, dark corn syrup, and molasses. In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and ground cloves. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 4 hours or until it becomes easy to handle.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to an ⅛-inch thickness. Cut the dough with floured 2½-inch cookie cutters, placing the cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Optionally, top the cookies with slivered almonds or leave them plain.
- Bake the cookies at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly browned. Once baked, transfer the cookies to wire racks for cooling. If desired, frost the plain cookies with frosting of your choice.
YIELD: Makes about 10 dozen cookies.
PREP/BAKE TIME: 25 minutes preparation + 4 hours chilling + 10 minutes baking per batch.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- For best results, refrigerate the dough for the specified 4 hours to ensure easy handling during the rolling and cutting process.
TIPS:
- To add an elegant touch, top the cookies with slivered almonds before baking.
- For a decorative and festive finish, consider frosting the plain cookies with frosting of your choice.
Swedish Spice Cutouts carry the cherished essence of family traditions, brought to the United States by Lilly Decker’s sister, Judith, from Sweden in 1928. Hailing from Clancy, Montana, this delightful recipe invites you to savor the rich history and heartwarming flavors of Sweden. With just 25 minutes of preparation and 4 hours of chilling time, followed by 10 minutes of baking per batch, this recipe yields about 10 dozen cookies—making it an excellent choice for sharing joy and nostalgia with family and friends.
Combining softened butter and dark brown sugar, the dough is creamed to perfection, producing a light and fluffy base for the delightful spices that follow. The addition of an egg, dark corn syrup, and molasses creates a harmonious blend that promises an unforgettable taste. Gradually incorporating all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and ground cloves ensures the perfect balance of flavors.
After a 4-hour chill in the refrigerator, the dough becomes easy to handle and is rolled to an ⅛-inch thickness on a floured surface. Using floured cookie cutters, the dough is transformed into charming shapes that add an air of authenticity to the treat. Optionally, slivered almonds can be placed atop the cutouts before baking, enhancing both presentation and taste.
As the cookies bake at 375°, the kitchen fills with the warm aroma of cinnamon and cloves, heightening anticipation for the delightful treats. Once baked to a lightly browned perfection, the cookies are transferred to wire racks to cool, leaving room for creativity and customization. Those who wish to add a festive touch can frost the plain cookies with frosting of their choice, elevating the charm and appeal of the delightful treats.
In conclusion, Swedish Spice Cutouts are a delectable delight that bridges the gap between the United States and Sweden, carrying the cherished flavors and traditions of Lilly Decker’s family heritage. As you share these treats with loved ones, allow the heartwarming essence of this time-honored recipe to create moments of joy and nostalgia. Whether adorned with slivered almonds or frosted with creativity, these cookies promise to be an unforgettable addition to your family gatherings and celebrations.
