Sandkaker must be one of the easiest of all Christmas cookies, with only 4 ingredients and hardly any preparation before you start baking. Children can easily take part in the baking; Easy to mix everything together, no dangerous heating or long wait. © Little Scandinavian Sandkaker Christmas 2010The only ingredient that can take a while to prepare are the almonds, since you first have to remove...
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Brown cookies – “Brunkager”
Brunkager is for us a new Christmas cookie, it is more of a Danish tradition and not very common in Norway. After being introduced to these sweet cookies by some friends we decided to make some ourselves. © Little Scandinavian Brunkager 2010 After a little bit of recipe research, and finding elements that we think would work, we had the following recipe. When it comes to Christmas cookie recipes...
Read moreSaint Lucy’s Day in London
Every year, kids and adults join in what is also known as the festival of light Saint Lucy's Day the 13th of December, a very special day in the Scandinavian calendar. Originally, St Lucia celebrated "the bearer of light" and that is still very much what we celebrate today. This timing, and her name meaning light, is a factor in the particular devotion to St. Lucy in Scandinavian countries, where...
Read moreSt Lucia and yummy Saffron Buns
Lucia day in Scandinavia is on December 13th - a very special day in the Scandinavian calendar. Originally, St Lucia celebrated "the bearer of light" and the tradition today is still that a train of people dressed in white will walk in the dark bearing candles, singing Christmas carols. A girl is elected to portray Lucia, wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head,...
Read moreBerlin Wreaths – “Berlinerkranser”
Scandinavians have traditionally spent a lot of time and effort in preparing for Christmas, and anyone with an ambition and certain level of pride has prepared a large number foods, sweets and treats for the big celebration. And it must be at least 7 different Christmas cookies. © Little Scandinavian Berlinerkranser 2010These cookies typically contain a lot of sugar, butter, flour and spices, so...
Read moreConfession of a Cookie Monster
theScandinavianDad made more Berlinerkranser (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) yesterday. And this morning he woke me up with a heart shaped on to accompany the latte he serves every morning. I'm afraid it was gone before I got my camera out... And now, walking into the kitchen, this tower of yummy Christmas Cookies greets me. Do you think he'll notice if some of them will disappear? I mean, one is...
Read moreScandinavian Christmas cookies – gingerbread
According to Norwegian traditions we are supposed to have at least 7 different kinds. This year we are planning on making Pepperkaker, Berlinerkranser, Sirupssnipper, Krumkaker, Serinakaker, Fattigmann og Julekake. We started yesterday with Berlinerkranser, and will continue today with Serinakaker. And what's fun with this is that the whole family can join in. I think Christmas cookies doesn't...
Read moreDanish Christmas market in London
This years Danish Christmas Bazaar in London will take place on Sunday 28th November from 12 - 16 There will be great Danish Christmas extravaganza with gløgg, æbleskiver, Christmas decorations and lots more. Admission £1 Address: 43 Maresfield Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5TF
Read moreNorwegian Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square
Each year since 1947, a Christmas tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway's capital Oslo, in gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during Second World War and is perhaps the most important symbol of Britain and Norway's warm relationship. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) over 20 metres high and 50-60 years old. It...
Read moreHow to make the Christmas shopping enjoyable
Does Christmas shopping really have to be manic and stressful? Or could you possibly turn it into an enjoyable event? I think the most important thing is to be prepared. What are you buying? Brew yourself a big cup of tea and make a list in the evening. Then find out where you can get what you need. Do as much as possible of your shopping online -you can do it when it suits you and you get it...
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