Experience the unparalleled delight of these Swedish Cardamom Cookies – a truly exceptional treat that is both profoundly buttery and delightfully crispy-crunchy, yet remains wonderfully light and airy. While a touch of cinnamon adds depth, cardamom is undeniably the star spice, infusing these cookies with its signature warm and aromatic flavor. This cherished recipe is a beloved family classic, gracing our tables every year, particularly during the festive season. They are absolutely perfect served alongside a glass of cold milk, a steaming mug of hot chocolate, or a rich cup of coffee. Originally shared on May 9, 2014, these cookies continue to be a timeless favorite.
Table of Contents
- The Enchantment of Christmas Baking
- How to Make Crispy Swedish Cardamom Cookies
- The Secret Ingredient: Baking Ammonia
- Essential Ingredients for Your Cardamom Cookies
- Crispy Swedish Cardamom Cookies Recipe
- More Irresistible Holiday Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore
- A Taste of Tradition: More Swedish Recipes from Grandma Prudy
The Enchantment of Christmas Baking
I have a little confession to make: my Christmas music playlist usually starts playing long before December. I know, I might be a little ahead of the curve, but there’s something so wonderfully uplifting about those festive tunes. Now that December is finally here, I can freely embrace my holly jolly spirit without any judgment! The air is filled with the magic of the season, and my home is no exception.
Christmas music, for me, is a mood booster year-round, but it truly comes alive when paired with decorating the tree, sipping on rich hot chocolate or a mug of spiced wassail, and relaxing by a warm, crackling fire. This delightful scene has been a constant in my home lately. And let’s not even get started on the cookies – oh, the sheer abundance of cookies! It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year for indulging in sweet treats.
Before we dive deeper into the world of cookies, I must share something truly wonderful: the advent calendar my sister created. Have you come across the #LightTheWorld initiative? As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I find profound joy in our church’s Christmas campaign, which encourages 25 ways over 25 days to follow the Savior’s example. Each day leading up to Christmas, participants are invited to perform acts of kindness and service, mirroring Christ’s life – whether it’s showing compassion, helping others to see, demonstrating love for family, or honoring the Sabbath. There are thoughtful suggestions for activities that align with each day’s theme.
My sister, Laura, took this inspiration and designed a personalized advent calendar for her children. It features the same daily themes but offers simple, kid-friendly activities. It’s an ingenious way to engage young minds in the true spirit of Christmas. You can find her wonderful kid-friendly calendar here, and the official #LightTheWorld calendar is also available if you’d like to participate. It’s a truly beautiful way to keep the Savior at the heart of the holiday season, and our children are incredibly excited about it. These thoughtful traditions are what make Christmas truly awesome!
And yes, cookies absolutely contribute to the awesomeness of Christmas! Today, I’m thrilled to share yet another incredible recipe from Eric’s legendary great-grandmother, Prudy. Hailing from Swedish heritage, she was an absolute icon, especially renowned for her culinary prowess in the kitchen. Her granddaughter (Eric’s mother) compiled a treasured family cookbook, filled with all of Prudy’s beloved Christmas cookie recipes. I’ve made it my mission to document these gems here on the blog, and you can find links to other fantastic Swedish cookies from Prudy further down below, after the main recipe.
How to Make Crispy Swedish Cardamom Cookies
In these exquisite cookies, cardamom truly reigns supreme. It’s such a potent and distinct spice that most recipes call for just a subtle hint. However, for these particular cardamom cookies – known simply as “Cardamoms” in Eric’s family – we believe in going bold or going home! If you’re not a fan of cardamom, these might not be the cookies for you, as its flavor is front and center. What makes them so special is their delicate balance: they’re not overly sweet, with only half a cup of sugar in the entire recipe. The result is a profile reminiscent of a cinnamon-cardamom flavored pie crust – wonderfully crisp and aromatic. This unique quality makes it dangerously easy to enjoy a dozen in a single sitting, something I confess to doing often! I used to shy away from crispy cookies, but these have truly converted me 180 degrees.
The Secret Ingredient: Baking Ammonia
To achieve the signature lightness and crispness of these cookies, there’s one special ingredient that is absolutely essential: baking ammonia, also known as baker’s ammonia or ammonium bicarbonate. Before marrying into Eric’s family, I had never heard of it myself, and it’s certainly not a common ingredient in most modern recipes. However, I can attest that it is entirely worth sourcing just for these cardamom cookies. Its unique properties are crucial for that “ultra-tender, extra-crunchy” texture that defines these Cardamoms.
I specifically asked Eric’s mom if there was a suitable substitute, and her answer was firm: no. She explained that without baking ammonia, the cookies simply wouldn’t achieve that characteristic light and crispy texture. My research, including information from reputable sources like King Arthur Flour, confirms this. While some might suggest increasing the amount of baking powder as a substitute, the consensus is that the resulting cookies will lack the distinctive, delicate crispness that baking ammonia provides. It truly makes all the difference, creating a cookie that shatters perfectly with every bite.
Another traditional touch that adds to the visual appeal and crispness of these cookies is an egg wash. The golden “yellow stuff” you see on top is simply a lightly beaten egg brushed over the cookies before baking. While not strictly mandatory for flavor, it imparts a beautiful shine and contributes to that desirable extra crispness. Plus, since Eric’s mom has always done it this way, who am I to break with such a delicious tradition? These cookies are truly the ideal companion for a warm beverage. Kris, a family member, shared that her parents and grandmother always enjoyed these cookies after dinner with a mug of coffee. (As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I don’t drink coffee, but I can imagine how delightful that combination must be!). This recipe, as I’ve scaled it down, still yields a generous batch of about 50 cookies. Prudy’s original recipe was double this amount, making a hundred – perfect for extensive holiday cookie platters!
Essential Ingredients for Your Cardamom Cookies
To help you prepare for baking these delightful Swedish Cardamom Cookies, here’s a convenient shopping list. For the complete, detailed recipe with instructions, please refer to the recipe card below!
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Large egg
- Baking ammonia (baker’s ammonia)
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cardamom
- Fine sea salt
Crispy Swedish Cardamom Cookies
Swedish cardamom cookies that are ultra buttery and crispy-crunchy, yet still light and airy. There is cinnamon in the recipe but cardamom is the star flavor. These are a family classic that we make every year. Perfect with milk, hot chocolate, or coffee!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Chill Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 50 Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking ammonia (baker’s ammonia)
- 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for brushing the cookies)
Instructions
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl periodically to ensure even mixing.
- In a separate small bowl, lightly beat 1 egg. Add the baking ammonia to the beaten egg and stir until it completely dissolves. Pour this egg-ammonia mixture into the creamed butter and sugar, then beat until well combined.
- Add the all-purpose flour to the bowl, but do not mix it in yet. Using a small spoon, stir the salt, cinnamon, and cardamom directly into the flour. Once the dry ingredients are combined within the flour, beat the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2-3 hours. For best results and convenience, the dough can be left in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- When you are ready to bake, remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften slightly, making it more workable.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Divide the dough into two equal halves. Lightly sprinkle a clean work surface with flour.
- Using your hands, gently flatten one half of the dough. Then, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out very thinly, aiming for approximately 1/8 inch thickness. This thinness is key to their crispy texture.
- Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out individual cookie shapes. Carefully transfer these rounds to the prepared baking sheets with a spatula. These cookies do not spread significantly during baking, so you can place them relatively close together.
- Gather the dough scraps, gently re-roll them, and cut out more cookies until all the dough from that half is used. Repeat the entire rolling and cutting process with the second half of the dough.
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the remaining 1 egg. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the top of each cookie with the egg wash. Don’t be shy – a good coating contributes to their golden sheen and crispness (see photos above for reference).
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. They should be lightly browned around the edges and firm to the touch.
Notes
As indicated by the original recipe photo above, Great-Grandma Prudy’s original recipe called for double the ingredients, yielding approximately 100 cookies. This larger batch is perfect for extensive Christmas cookie plates and sharing with many loved ones!
This recipe is a treasured family heirloom from Eric’s great-grandmother, Prudy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Swedish
Calories: 66
Keyword: Cardamom, Cookies, crispy, swedish
Did you make this? I’d love to see it! Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!
More Irresistible Holiday Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore
If I absolutely had to choose, these would be my top holiday cookie recipes. But truthfully, please don’t make me pick just one! I genuinely love all cookies equally – each one brings its own special kind of joy to the festive season. Discover more sweet delights below:
- Butter Pecan Cookies >> We actually made these even before Thanksgiving last week! They are ALWAYS the first Christmas cookies to make an appearance in our house, signaling the start of the holiday baking season.
- Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies >> Imagine classic sugar cookies, but elevated with a festive crunch of crushed candy canes? Absolutely, yes please!
- Pariserwafiers (Swedish Cream Wafer Cookies) >> I am completely obsessed with these: delicate, flaky, buttery, and crispity-tender discs of pure bliss that melt in your mouth!
- Thick & Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe >> Because everyone needs that reliable, go-to recipe for perfectly thick and incredibly soft sugar cookies that hold their shape.
- My All-Time-Favorite Shortbread Cookies >> Shortbread is a timeless classic, and this particular recipe truly stands out as the absolute best, delivering that perfect crumbly texture.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies >> For many, Christmas simply isn’t complete without these iconic, chocolate-kiss-topped peanut butter delights.
- Biscotti For People Who Thought They Hated Biscotti >> These delightfully snappy biscotti are not your average dry cookie; they are absolutely perfect for dipping into all that rich holiday hot cocoa or coffee.
- Perfect Linzer Cookies >> These feature a festive, holiday-shaped window revealing a peek of delicious jam nestled between two delicate shortbread cookies.
- Macadamia Nut Cookies >> These heavenly cookies are topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and a hint of warming cardamom – a truly indulgent treat.
- Easy Christmas Cookies with Holiday Pretzels from The Wicked Noodle
- Christmas Thumbprint Cookies from A Pretty Life
A Taste of Tradition: More Swedish Recipes from Grandma Prudy
Grandma Prudy, a true matriarch of our family’s culinary traditions, was born in Minnesota to Swedish immigrant parents. Throughout her long life, she faithfully preserved and shared the cherished food traditions of her homeland. You can delve deeper into her fascinating story on my Rye Bread post. Her legacy of Swedish baking lives on through these wonderful recipes:
- Swedish Spritz Cookies << Just today, we made a huge double batch of these, a beloved December tradition in our family. The kids absolutely adored using the cookie press to create all the fun shapes!
- Gramma Prudy’s Classic Gingersnaps >> These gingersnaps are so incredibly good, I confess I could literally eat my weight in them – a testament to their perfect blend of spice and crispness.
- Swedish Sour Cream Twists (Layered Yeast Cookies) >> Another elegantly understated sweet pastry, these layered yeast cookies are a perfect accompaniment to a comforting cup of hot chocolate.
- Thin and Crispy Sugar Cookies (Grandma Prudy’s Recipe) >> Experience these buttery sugar cookies that are so wonderfully thin, they practically shatter in your mouth with every delightful bite.
- Cardamom Rolls >> While not technically a Prudy recipe, these are an utterly amazing Swedish pastry, featuring my favorite pearl sugar for an extra delightful texture and sweetness.
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