Swedish Christmas Cookies

Swedish cookies are called sandkaker or sandbakelse actually originated in Norway. Recipes for these Scandinavian Christmas treats have been passed down from generation to generation.

This recipe makes 36 to 42 cookies.

Whatcha Need:

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks), at room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• Colored sanding sugars or chopped toasted pecans
• Whisk the flour, cardamom, and salt in a bowl.

Whatcha Do:

1. Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in a food processor, and process until smooth. Pulse in the egg, vanilla, and lemon zest until combined. Add the flour mixture and process to make a soft buttery dough. Divide dough in half onto 2 (12-inch long) sheets of plastic wrap, using the plastic, shape into rough logs. Refrigerate the dough logs for 30 minutes until just firm enough to shape into uniform logs, 8-inches long by 2-inches in diameter. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

3. Scatter either the sanding sugars or toasted nuts on a work surface and roll the logs until completely coated. Cut into 1/4-inch thick cookies and space about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until golden around the edges, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool cookies on the pan on wire racks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.