Pepparkakor are ginger cookies traditionally shaped like a heart. This pepparkakor recipe makes them very thin and crisp. Tradition says that if you place a heart shaped Papparkakor in your hand, make a wish and tap the center, if the cookie breaks into three pieces your wish will be granted.

This recipe was originally from Elsie Hornfeldt and appeared in the Duluth News Tribune many years ago. Elsie was mother to Duluth Swedish Cultural Society member, Inger Lauritsen

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp syrup (dark Karo syrup)
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp each of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugars together, add the egg and the syrup.
2. Sift together soda, flour, the spices and add. (I start with 2 ½ cups flour and use the rest of the flour when I roll them out.)
3. Chill dough at least one hour.
4. Roll out thin and with floured cookie cutters cut out the cookies in the desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350 degrees about 8-9 minutes (until firm to touch and starting to brown on edges). Be careful not to overbake.