Vasalopp Cookies / Vasaloppkjeks

A Swedish classic found on alleoppskrifter.no

Vasaloppet (Swedish for ‘The Vasa Race’) is an annual long-distance cross-country ski race held on the first Sunday of March. The 90 km (56 miles) course starts in the village of Sälen and ends in the town of Mora in northwestern Dalarna, Sweden. It is the oldest and longest cross-country ski race in the world, as well as the race with the highest number of skiers.

The race was inspired by a notable journey made by King Gustav Vasa when he fleeing from Christian II’s soldiers in 1520. The modern competition started in 1922 and it has been a part of the Worldrace events since 1978.

Spicy Cake with Honey / Krydderkake med Honning

An old-fashioned cake recipe found on jacobs.no

Spicy cakes like this are perhaps mostly associated with Christmas and winter here in Scandinavia, but this cake tastes just as nice with a cup of tea or coffee in spring and summer as well.

Buns From Suldal in Southern Norway / Suldalsboller

An traditional bun recipe found on jaerbladet.no

Cinnamon Cake / Kanelkake

A cake recipe found on “Ost i Varme og KaldeRetter” (Cheese in
Varm and Cold Dishes) published by Den Norske Bokklubben in 1988

Finnish Pancakes / Finske Pannekaker

A classic Finnish pancake recipe found on allrecipes.com

Delicious crepe-like pancakes that are sure to please. You may double or triple the recipe. Serve with warmed maple syrup, jam or a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Juicy, Airy Spelt Patties / Saftige, Luftige Speltlapper

A Norwegian recipe with spelt found on mills.no

These airy and juicy spelt patties makes any Sunday brekfast perfect. If you have a few left over, they are also great for the lunchbox. They stay nice and juicy over time. The recipe gives about 16 patties.

Norwegian Potato Waffles / Potetvafler

An old-fashioned waffle recipe found on norsktradisjonsmat.no

Left over potatoes turn into delicious waffles with this recipe. The first waffle iron was probably developed in the Netherlands and Germany in the 1300s. Cakes fried in irons were among the first cakes made in Norway, besides cakes fried on flatt stones and griddles. The waffle irons had long handles to make the user able to keep the iron in the fire.

This recipe is from the book “From oldemor’s kitchen” (From Great Grandma’s Kitchen), published by Østfold Associated Country Women in 1998.

Norwegian Sunday Apples / Søndagsepler

A recipe for a lovely and a little unusual apple cake
found on frukt.no

A delicious cake – with apples sauce, apple sticks and Custard.
This cake will save the Sunday every time.

Old-fashioned Norwegian Lemon Cake / God Gammeldags Sitronkake

A classic tea cake recipe found on mollerens.no

This is an amazingly good lemon cake made from a good old recipe.
The cake is soft and juicy and has a fresh and delicious taste of lemon.

Safran Sponge Tasting of Christmas / Safransukkerbrød med Smak av Jul

A recipe for a juicy Christmasy sponge found on regal.no

A version of the classic sponge, with a little added Christmas taste of saffron, orange and almond. Perfect for coffee or a cup of tea, or why not a hot mug of gløgg to complete the taste of Christmas.

Norwegian Aristocrats / Aristokrater

A recipe for classic Norwegian almond bars found on mills.no

Aristocrats are small finger thick and cylindrical almond cakes. The cakes are usually decorated by brushing them with eggs and sprinkling them with nib sugar. A portion of this recipe gives about 50 cakes.

Norwegian Mazarins / Mazariner

A recipe for juicy Norwegian Christmas cakes found on mills.no

Mazarins are traditionally made with shortcrust pastry filled with almond paste and topped with white glaze, but there are many different variations with different fillings. They are baked in small oval tart moulds. A portion of the recipe makes about 25 cakes.

Danish Saffron Cake / Dansk Safrankage

Traditional Danish sponge smelling of saffron
found on dansukker.dk

Saffron has a central place in Scandinavian Christmas traditions, or the spice is used in larger cakes like here and in several traditional cookies.

Norwegian Christmas Tea Cakes / Juletekaker

An old Norwegian Christmas classic found on mills.no

These classic Norwegian tea cakes are closely related to Italian biscotti. They are crispy in consistency and common flavours include lemon, almond, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla. Many people prefer to dip the cakes in coffee or tea, and they are usually baked for different occasions throughout the year, but specially for Christmas. The recipe gives about 60 cakes.

Soft Gingerbread / Myk Pepperkake

A classic Norwegian Christmas recipe found on regal.no

This is a basic recipe for Norwegian soft gingerbread with cultured milk our sour cream for juicy consistency. Vary with different flavors like cranberries, nuts or icing on top. If you want to make gingerbread muffins, pour the batter into muffin moulds, then bake for 15-20 minutes. Glace with icing sugar.