Scandinavian Snowflake Cookies

Dough is rolled into paper-thin circles, folded, and cut out like paper snowflakes to make beautiful lacy flat breads that are fried and sprinkled with confectioners' sugar. A traditional Christmas treat from Scandinavia. They take time and care to make.

• Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 103 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Line baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper, and sprinkle with flour.

Step 2

Heat the milk just to the boiling point in a saucepan. Stir together the flour, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl until well combined, then mix in the butter and gradually pour in the hot milk, mixing between each addition, until the mixture forms a stiff dough.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto an oiled work surface, and knead until the dough is cool and smooth, about 5 minutes. Cut the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces, then cut those pieces into 4 pieces, making 16 pieces. Divide each of the 16 pieces in half to make 32 equal-sized pieces of dough. Cover the pieces with a cloth, and let the dough rest for about 20 minutes.

Step 4

Working on a floured surface, roll each piece of dough out into a thin circle about 8 inches in diameter. Place the circles onto the prepared baking sheets, cover with a cloth, and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Fold each circle in half, then in half again. With a sharp knife or small cookie cutters, snip and cut shapes out of the folded dough the way you make a paper snowflake. Carefully open the circle back up, revealing the pattern. Stack the cut snowflakes between sheets of waxed paper on a flat surface.

Step 6

Heat oil in a deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). The oil should be about 2 inches deep.

Step 7

Carefully lay a snowflake into the hot oil, keeping it flat. Allow it to fry until golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute per side. Gently flip the snowflakes over with a tongs to prevent breakage. Drain the fried snowflakes on paper towels, and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.