I’m so excited to share some wonderful Norwegian treats with you!
These 10 delectable recipes feature simple, fresh ingredients and uncomplicated techniques. Prepare to discover cozy flavors that will bring warmth and joy to your kitchen.
1. Oslo Kringle Recipe
This unique pastry uses the same choux dough found in cream puffs. If you’re new to making choux pastry, this is an excellent opportunity to try it out and create a delicious tart in the process!
I like to sprinkle mine generously with sugar and sliced almonds before baking; they caramelize beautifully into the dough, creating a lovely crispy top. Once cooled, a liberal drizzle of glaze, perhaps with a touch of lemon zest, finishes this treat perfectly.
2. Norwegian Krumkake Cookies
If you enjoy crispy ice cream cones or delicate store-bought waffle cookies, this recipe is for you. These sweet, delicate cookies are fantastic when filled with whipped cream and are a cherished Norwegian tradition.
While a traditional krumkake iron can be pricey, I have found that an alternative tool effectively recreates these cookies. It may not provide the exact traditional appearance, but the taste is wonderfully similar.
3. Norwegian Pudding (Rømmegrøt)
This Norwegian pudding is truly as traditional as it gets, offering a deeply comforting experience.
I love serving it warm, topped with melted butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. It’s a remarkably satisfying dish, perfect for keeping cozy during colder months.
Essentially, it’s a simple, straightforward blend of milk, butter, flour, sugar, and salt. While delicious with cinnamon, I personally enjoy mine with a dollop of strawberry jam.
4. Norwegian Pepperkaker
I’ve learned that many European holiday favorites are delightfully simple. This spice cookie, common across Scandinavia, is often enjoyed plain without frosting.
The gingerbread-like dough requires warming butter and syrup, then cooling it before adding the eggs. Gently folding in the dry ingredients, you will likely chill the dough before shaping these delightful cookies.
5. Norwegian Cinnamon Bun Pastries (Skillingsboller)
There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of a large, warm, sticky cinnamon bun. This particular recipe reminds me of my favorite Swedish version, even featuring fragrant cardamom within the dough.
Like all good baking, it requires patience for the dough to rise twice, once after mixing and again after shaping the rolls.
I find it convenient to prepare the dough the night before, allowing it to chill in the fridge overnight. By morning, it’s just a quick process of rolling, letting them rise, and baking these delightful pastries.
6. Norwegian Apple Pie
This Norwegian “pie” reminds me more of a cozy cake or fruit cobbler. It’s bursting with sweet and tart apple pieces, but you won’t find a traditional pastry crust here.
Instead, a simple batter mixes directly with the fruit. As it bakes, the apples tenderize, releasing their juices to create a wonderfully moist texture.
I enjoy this immensely when it’s still warm, especially with a generous scoop of ice cream.
7. Norwegian Butter Cookies (Serinakaker)
These short, buttery cookies are my preferred choice over a standard sugar cookie. They offer a richer taste, perfect plain or with a light glaze.
Quality butter is essential here, as it’s the recipe’s star and cannot be substituted. Interestingly, you’ll blend the butter with dry ingredients first, not cream it with sugar.
I find them versatile for scooping, cutting into shapes, or as a base for delicious thumbprint cookies.
8. Norwegian Almond Cookies
If you’ve hesitated to get a cookie press, now is the perfect moment! It’s incredibly enjoyable to shape a large batch of this dough into various designs. Alternatively, a scoop or piping bag also works beautifully if you prefer.
Using powdered sugar gives these cookies a smooth, sweet finish, preventing any gritty texture that might occur with granulated sugar, especially given their quick baking time of just seven minutes.
Being gentle after creaming the butter and sugar will result in a lighter dough and a more tender final cookie.
9. Norwegian Rhubarb Compote
I noticed during my travels in Sweden and its neighboring countries that sweets are often less sugary. They favor bold spices and the bright tartness of berries. You won’t typically find excessively frosted cakes or overly sweet cookies, which allows their natural flavors to shine.
This compote initially surprised me with its pronounced tart and sour notes. While it mellows beautifully when served with whipped cream, I personally enjoy it most mixed with baked apples and a creamy scoop of ice cream.
10. Norwegian Cardamom-Almond Tart (Yarnall Family’s Fyrstekake)
Cardamom is a beloved spice in Scandinavia, and almond desserts are everywhere. Their combination creates a delightful blend of mild fruit and nutty notes.
The crust includes cardamom, though I find a store-bought crust works well without losing flavor because the filling is so generously spiced. Prepared similarly to a macaron with egg whites, the filling achieves a lovely sweet and airy crumb.