Time Travel Kitchen

Hallongrotta, the Original Swedish Thumbprint Cookie

I will never again make anything that is remotely related to a thumbprint cookie or jam drop without these tiny paper baking cups (coincidently made in Sweden). They keep the shape of the cookies just the way you want them.

Hallongrotta, the mother of all thumbprint cookies, literally translates to ‘raspberry cave’ in Swedish. They have been around since the 1800’s and are included in the update of the 1945 Swedish baking bible Sju Sorters Kakor “The Seven Cookies”, first available in English in 2008.

I know everyone is busy in these last hectic weeks before the holidays so I’ll keep these ‘cookie finale’ newsletters (news notes?) brief.

I’ve include three links below if you are interested in learning more not only about Hallongrotta, but about the coffee culture of Sweden in general. The recipe I used was from the Swedish Spoon, but the other links provide very nice recipes as well.

Notes on Hallongrotta:

• I used cornstarch, not potato starch

• You’ll see some ‘imposter Hallongrotta’ in the picture of my cookies above: I put candied cherries on a few (I like them and they look festive). But the classic is always raspberry jam.

Follow-up on the Chocolate Slice Cookie:

• I had some feedback on the dough for the Chokladsnittar yesterday. If you find it’s not coming together, add a bit more egg and be sure to use a large egg for the recipe. After mixing press the dough together with your hands, it should form. Also, adjust the recipe to an even 2 cups of flour, that should help, and don’t use any additional flour when forming/rolling the dough.

• There were also some questions about what the dimensions should look like so here’s a picture after I baked, both sliced and unsliced.

• Feel free to email me your questions.

Chokladsnittar..

Here are the links for the Hallongrotta recipe and some additional history:

196 Flavors Hallongrotta

Hallongrotta Visit Sweden

Swedish Spoon Hallongrotta

Finally, I want to again sing the praises of Sarah Miller’s terrific newsletter, Can we read? If you’re looking for great recommendations for children’s books to give as gifts this holiday, she’s got it sorted! Here’s the link:

Have a good night and I’ll see you tomorrow with Day 3 of the Cookie Finale!

Jolene