We're on day 8 of our 12 days of holiday baking. Christmas day is just around the corner. Today's cookie reminds me of childhood. I remember eating Kringla Cookies at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. It was a special treat for me, since my mother didn't make this cookie. Kringla cookies are a light, fluffy and just slightly sweet Norwegian cookie.
"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" -Charles Dickens
Kringla Cookies
Kringla cookies are soft, fluffy and remind you of your favorite sweet bread. They are buttery with a slightly sweet flavor. I only seem to make Kringla cookies during the holidays. There aren't many cookies that make me smile and recall the pleasures of youth as much as this one does. Is there a cookie that makes you nostalgic for something in your childhood? I'd love to know.
History of the Kringla Cookie
Kringla Cookies are a traditional Norwegian cookie that is commonly baked during Christmas time. Though the spelling is close, it is different than the Danish pastry, Kringle, so don’t get these two confused. Kringla is a soft cookie that is intended to be very plain. You’ll typically see Kringlas shaped into a figure eight or a pretzel shape. You have to remember that in an older time anything with a little bit of sugar was a treat. I think you’ll appreciate the simplicity and faintly sweet taste of this Norwegian Kringla cookie.
Ingredients
- Sour Cream
- Baking Soda
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
How To Make Kringla Cookies
First, mix sour cream and baking soda in a small bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes. In a medium sized bowl, beat eggs with a fork. Then add sugar and vanilla. In a third bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add the sour cream mixture to the egg mixture and stir. Then add flour mixture and stir.
Let the dough sit overnight in the refrigerator in a plastic covered bowl. The next day heat your oven to 350°F. Roll the cookie dough into a log and cut into equal strips. On a floured work space, roll strips to about 8" long and half an inch in diameter. Shape the strips of dough into figure eights. Place dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Do not brown these. Let the cookies cool on a pan for 5 minutes then remove. Place cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
This cookie is very simple to make. Kringla cookies pack up nicely in a cookie tin, or you could put them on a plate with other Christmas cookies from days one through seven.
Expert Tips
- Don't have time to let this dough chill overnight? I'd recommend letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least one to two hours.
- The dough can be sticky and a little bit difficult to work with. Refrigerating overnight helps with this. You can also add a tiny bit of flour when rolling the dough out. You don't want to add too much flour, so only add a little at a time.
- Dough still too sticky? Put it into a bag and pipe it out into the figure eight shapes.
- Before baking, but after the cookie shapes are formed, you can brush the dough with melted butter and a sprinkle of sugar. This will add a bit of texture and shine to the cookies.
Can I Freeze Kringla Cookies?
Yes you can. They freeze really well. Put your baked cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer. When you are ready to eat one, pop a frozen one into the microwave for a few seconds and it will be soft enough to enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this Kringla cookie as much as I do. I highly recommend dipping one of these cookies into your morning coffee, so don't forget to save some for yourself!
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Kringla Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix sour cream and baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes.
- In a medium sized bowl beat eggs with a fork and add sugar and vanilla.
- In a third bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add sour cream mixture to the egg mixture and stir. Then add flour mixture and stir.
- Let dough sit overnight in refrigerator in a plastic covered bowl.
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Roll dough into log and cut it into equal strips. On floured work space, roll strips to about 8" long, ½ inch in diameter, and shape into figure eights.
- Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Do not brown.
- Let cool on pan for 5 minutes then remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes:
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Emily Flint says
Easy to make and delicious!
Sue says
A perfect holiday cookie!
Adriana says
Never heard of Kringla Cookies but want to try them!
Jerika says
I can't wait to try Kringla Cookies!:) It has simple ingredients and easy to make. Thanks and happy holidays!:)
Freya says
I love Swedish baking, and these Kringla cookies are light and delicious!
Bernice says
I've never seen sour cream in ccokie. What an interesting recipe. Worth a try!
Luke Ratford says
A great Christmas cookie recipe 🙂
Amy says
Oh love that it uses sour cream for a slight tang.
Chris P VanDenBerg says
My family has made Kringla as far back as I remember. (40yrs). This recipe is very close to the one handed down through my family. One thing we do as well that makes them even better. After they cool down slightly. You dip the top of them in a little milk and then gently press them in granulated sugar. Looks a little more elegant and tastes awesome.
serena says
Thanks for that tip! Sounds like it would definitely add a little something to the look and flavor
Teresa Eckard says
Am going to try this. In step 7- how many equal strips do you cut the dough log into?
serena says
We did as many as we could get from the dough
Toughcookiemommy says
This looks like such a delicious cookie recipe. It is perfect for serving to the entire family during the holidays.
Journa Ramirez says
I should make these cookies for our whole family. I am sure they will love it - this recipe looks delicious!
serena says
Thanks so much!
Amber Nelson says
These look so good! I can't wait to try these. They look pretty easy to make too.
serena says
Thanks so much!
Jean says
I've never heard of these cookies but they look and sound great! I'm hoping to do a bit of baking in the run up to Christmas and would definitely like to give these a go!
serena says
Then are delicious. Enjoy 🙂
Melissa Chapman says
These cookies are a great addition to the Christmas treats this season. They look so light and airy and I would love to make these if I get in a baking mood.
serena says
Give them a try 🙂
Krystal Butherus says
I've never heard of these delicious looking cookies! We may have to bake some, as an addition to what we already bake!
serena says
They are so light and fluffy. One of my favorites
Jeanine says
Wow so simple yet so yummy! They look really great and like some cookies I more than likely can't mess up! I will have to give them a try!
serena says
Enjoy!
AnnMarie John says
I love how simple this recipe is but it looks really good! I'm pretty sure that the kids will love this kind of cookie! Thanks for the lovely recipe!
serena says
Thanks so much! Enjoy 🙂
Melanie Frost says
I've never heard of these cookies. They look so soft and like they could melt in your mouth!
serena says
They are a Norwegian cookie. Light and fluffy and just melt in your mouth.
Laura @ MommyDearest says
I'm definitely adding this to my baking list. These sound like something I tried at a friends house once. They are so simple, but delicious. I love when Baked goods bring back happy memories.
serena says
Me too! Enjoy 🙂