How to Make a Wish Cookie

Pepparkakor cookies can be cut into many shapes.

The Pepparkakor, also called the Swedish Wish Cookie, is a a traditional ginger cookie usually made during the holidays. Although similar to gingersnaps, Pepparkakors are distinguished by their thin, crispy texture and spicy, rather than floury, taste. Pepparkakors, loved by many for their deliciousness, are also loved for the superstition that surrounds them. Swedish tradition states that if you press your thumb into the center of a Pepparkakor cookie while making a wish, that wish will come true if it breaks into three pieces.

Things You'll Need

• 8 oz. butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tsp. orange zest
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. ground cloves
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Cookie sheet
• Cookie cutters
• Wire racks

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. While stirring, add egg, corn syrup, orange juice and orange zest. Continue stirring until the mixture is a smooth consistency. If using an electric mixer, make sure it is on the lowest setting.

3. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and ginger) in a medium mixing bowl. Stir the dry mixture into the creamed mixture until combined. Make sure the dough is smooth; it will not roll or bake properly if there are bubbles or chunks.

4. 

   Personalize your Pepparkakor cookies with your own cookie cutters.

   Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Wish Cookies are usually made into a nine-point flower shape, although animal shapes are also popular.

5. Bake the Pepparkakors for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies on wire racks.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove the cookies while they are still slightly soft in the oven. Like sugar cookies, Pepparkakors will crisp as they cool.

• Pepparkakors are best enjoyed with coffee or spiced wine.

References

• All Recipes: Pepparkakors
• Anne's Food: The Pepparkakor

Resources

• In the Nord Kitchen: Ginger Cookies, Pepparkakor and The Wish Cookie