Pepparkakor (Gingersnaps)

Traditionally speaking Swedes have gingersnaps (Pepparkakor) all year long (usually I just buy them), but at Christmas time it's kinda fun to make them.  I always make them in the shape of little gingerbread men and women but they can also be made in the shape of hearts or pigs.  I think I'll stick with the gingerbread men just for my traditional needs.

 Ingredients 

7 oz. brown sugar

7 oz. white sugar

7 oz. dark corn syrup

3/4 cup water

10 oz butter

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 tablespoons ground cloves

1 tablespoon baking soda

2 lbs flour (You can use rice flour if you prefer not to have wheat)

Method

Heat the brown and white sugar along with the corn syrup and water in a pot. Add the butter and let it melt.  Stir in spices and baking soda.  Then mix in the flour until you reach a smooth consistency.  Place dough in the refrigerator to cool for at least 3 hours, over night is best.  Then take the dough and knead it on a large cutting board, adding flour (or rice flour) if it gets sticky.  Roll it out and cut into your desired shapes and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Cool on a rack and decorate to your liking. 

I purchased these cool edible pen pictured below.  They are great to have around!

Cute Gingerbread men.

These are great to have around and make decorating easy!