Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (2024)

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This easy krumkake recipe is traditional Norwegian Christmas cookies with a crisp, yet tender crumb and a delicious hint of cardamom! Just 6 ingredients - and that's counting water. So easy, anyone can make them. Delicious as a crisp texture next to creamy desserts like ice cream or whipped cream desserts.

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (1)

As I have mentioned before, Christmas is all about traditions, but also to find some new favorites. As krumkake is a Norwegian recipe, I think you should try this recipe which is by a Norwegian (if that was unclear, that is me/my mom)! My mom always makes these krumkake cookies, and she helped me out here.

It has never been my favorite cookie, but it has really grown on me the later years. It's so good with that tender, yet crisp crumb next to creamy desserts.

Another favorite Norwegian Christmas cookies areno-cook chocolate rice puffs, which are great for make ahead, just keep them in the freezer and they can be eaten straight from there! I also really love Norwegian gingerbread cookies and Christmas men cookies. Old-fashioned donuts are very popular (and absolutely divine freshly fried!).

Or if you want to try something completely different, why don't you go for a box of chocolates for Christmas this year!

Table of Contents

1.Krumkake history

2.Krumkake ingredients

3.Krumkake iron and roller

5.How to make them

6.Did you like this recipe? Here are more Christmas recipes I think you would like:

7.📖 Recipe

8.Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies)

8.1.Ingredients

8.2.Instructions

8.3.Did you make this recipe?

Krumkake history

The krumkake is a very old cookie in Norway, some even assume it is over a thousand years old. However, it wasn't until the 19th century when stoves became more common, that we started to make the krumkake and other cookies ourselves in private households. It wasn't a Christmas cookie, as that wasn't a term before, it was more like a festive cookie.

Norwegians love traditional Christmas cookies and based on a survey in 2018, the most favorite cookies are:

  1. Krumkake
  2. Gingerbread cookies
  3. Kransekake (I don't get this but anyway)
  4. Lefser (these are amazing, but I eat them all year round)
  5. Old-fashioned donuts

I would not place them like that, but my point is, we are crazy about Norwegian cookies and you should be too!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (2)

Krumkake ingredients

The ingredients for making this krumkake recipe are just basic pantry staples. If cardamom is not a pantry staple for you, you definitely should invest in it! If you like Scandinavian baking, like cardamom buns,sweet buns, orchai spice cake, cardamom is always your friend.

  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Ground cardamom
  • Water

That is all you really need! The clue to making krumkake is that the eggs, butter, flour and sugar all weigh the same! So always start by weighing your eggs and then add the other ingredients accordingly. If you don't have a scale, I also provide the measurements in cups, but I do recommend you getting a scale - not necessarily for this recipe but for all kinds of cakes and baking!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (3)

Krumkake iron and roller

I really wanted krumkake to work without krumkake iron, but unfortunately you really do need an iron. Well, I guess it doesn'thave tobe a krumake iron, but it has to be a completely flat iron to make the krumkake waffles thin enough.

I have an electric krumkake iron, much like this one (not affiliate), and I think they are much easier to use than the metal ones you heat. This way it's just like making waffles!

You should also have a krumkake cone roller (or pizzelle roller), but that is often included with the iron. That way you can shape them like the traditional cone shape,however, you can also shape them like a bowl using a bowl! In fact, you can shape them with whatever you have, the only thing to remember is that you have tomove fast as it crisps up very quickly.

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (4)

What to eat with krumkaker

Sometimes they are eaten alone with a cup of coffee or tea, but I think it is more like a side to another dessert!Krumkaker are made for deliciously creamy Norwegian desserts, mostly whipped cream and jams, or my favorite, cloudberry whipped cream as pictured in some of these photos.

To make the krumkake filling: Simply mix 1 ½ cups cloudberries with 1 tablespoon sugar and let sit for 15 minutes to macerate. Then whip 1 ½ cups heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar, until stiff peaks. Fold in the cloudberries - done!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (5)

You can use other berries of course, but this is the classic. Cloudberries have a very distinct taste, sometimes referred to as arctic gold! I'm thinking raspberries would be delicious too, at least something a little tart.

And if you can find cloudberry jam but not fresh cloudberries, I highly recommend that you use that instead of finding another berry to use. Cloudberries truly are so special and delicious!

However, you can eat them with anything where you would like a little extra crunch for texture. For example, these Rich Tropical Girls are a trifle dessert based on a Norwegian classic Tilslørte Bondepiker (Veiled Peasant Girls), and instead of the gingernut cookies, use krumkake!

Another classic way is to eat them with ice cream, even like an ice cream cone (they do taste quite similar). I currently have two ice cream recipes on the blog: pistachio ice cream and chocolate coffee ice cream - both are no-churn!

How to make them

To make the batter, melt butter and set it aside to cool a little (1). Whip the eggs together and slowly pour in the butter. Then add in the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and cardamom. Mix until combined, then add in the water and mix until combined again (2). Let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (6)

Meanwhile, heat the krumkake iron to medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of batter to the center (3), press the iron down and let it cook for about 1 to 1 ½ minute or until golden (4). This will result in some trial and error, to get the correct level of golden!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (7)

Working quickly, you can shape them either as a bowl or as a traditional cone:

  • Cone: Using the krumkake roller, roll the waffle around it (5). Sometimes the roller has a metal clasp to keep the cone in shape as it cools (6). Hold until it is stiff.
  • Bowl: Using a fork or knife, quickly add the waffle into a bowl and try to shape it as desired (7). It will have some ruffles, but I think that looks elegant. Take it out of the bowl once it has stiffened up.

Let cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container for a month. I don't know, I guess they can last even longer if stored correctly. Serve as mentioned above, and enjoy!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (8)

Did you like this recipe? Here are more Christmas recipes I think you would like:

  • Christmas pavlova with eggnog whipped cream and cherry sauce
  • Eggnog White Russian
  • Norwegian chocolate rice puffs
  • Norwegian halibut with whipped sour cream
  • Citrus rosemary turkey breast
  • Salted caramel-filled coffee cookies

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year.

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Download your FREE copy of Travels Through the Seasons Cookbook here!

📖 Recipe

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (9)

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies)

Yield: 35 cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

This easy krumkake recipe is traditional Norwegian Christmas cookies with a crisp, yet tender crumb and a delicious hint of cardamom!

Ingredients

Krumkake

  • 4 large eggs (225 grams)
  • 2 sticks of butter (225 grams)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (225 grams)
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar (225 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ cup water (4 tablespoons)

Whipped Cloudberry Cream

  • 1 ½ cups cloudberries (or other berries, 300 milliliters)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream (300 milliliters)

Instructions

Krumkake

  1. Start by weighing your eggs (out of the shell). Weigh the other ingredients accordingly so you have the same weight of flour, sugar and butter too.
  2. Melt the butter and set it aside to cool for a few minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour and cardamom.
  4. Mix the eggs together and slowly pour the melted butter in, while constantly mixing. Add in the dry ingredients and then the water, mix until combined. Let it rest for 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
  5. Heat the krumkake iron to medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of batter to the center, press the iron down and let it cook for about 1 ½ minute or until golden.
  6. Working quickly, you can shape them either as a bowl or as a traditional cone:
    Cone: Using the krumkake roller, roll the waffle around it. Sometimes the roller have a metal clasp to keep the cone in shape as it cools. Hold until it is stiff.
    Bowl: Using a fork or knife, quickly add the waffle into a bowl and try to shape it as desired. It will have some ruffles, but I think that looks elegant. Take it out of the bowl once it has stiffened up.
  7. Let cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container for a month. Serve with whipped cloudberry cream or any other creamy dessert!

Whipped cloudberry cream

  1. Mix 1 ½ cups cloudberries with 1 tablespoon sugar and let sit for 15 minutes to macerate. Then whip 1 ½ cups heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar, until stiff peaks. Fold in the cloudberries – done!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 35Serving Size: 1 cone
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 94Total Fat: 5.8gSaturated Fat: 3.5gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 9.9gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 7.2gProtein: 1.2g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate, estimate for informational purposes only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

Easy Krumkake Recipe (Norwegian Christmas Cookies) - Ginger with Spice (2024)

FAQs

What does krumkake mean in Norwegian? ›

Krumkake (Norwegian: [ˈkrʊ̀mˌkɑːkə]; meaning 'curved cake'; pl. : krumkaker) is a Norwegian waffle cookie made of flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and cream.

Why is my krumkake soggy? ›

Filling krumkake with whipped cream or some other delightful filling will eventually lead to sogginess over time. It's best to wait until the last minute to fill them if you want them to retain a crispy texture.

Why is my krumkake sticking to the iron? ›

Preheating and greasing the iron: It's crucial to preheat the krumkake iron properly (medium-high is a good starting point) to ensure even cooking. Additionally, lightly grease both sides of the iron before your first batter is placed. This will prevent the batter from sticking and ensure easy removal of the cookies.

Can I freeze krumkake? ›

Krumkake freezes very well, and can keep in the freezer for months. Be sure to let them cool completely before packing and freezing them.

What is the difference between Pizzelle and krumkake? ›

Krumkake batter is thinner than pizzelle batter, which is what allows it to roll so easily, and while krumkake is more versatile when it comes to flavors and fillings, pizelles are more likely to be flavored by directly adding ingredients to the batter.

What does Kransekake mean in Norwegian? ›

Kransekage (Danish) or kransekake (Norwegian) is a traditional Danish and Norwegian confection, often eaten on special occasions in Scandinavia. In English, the name means 'wreath cake'.

How to eat krumkake? ›

Krumkake, pronounced “kroom-ka-ka,” meaning “curved cake,” is a classic Norwegian waffle cookie. They should be crispy and simply flavored — and in my opinion, filled with good, homemade whipped cream. But you can eat them plain as well — or as a special ice cream cone!

How do you season a Krumkake iron? ›

Plug in the krumkake iron to start heating it up. Brush the inside molds with some of the remaining melted butter. I've tried cooking spray, but it makes it kind of sticky. The butter is better for seasoning the iron.

What cookies should you not freeze? ›

Do not freeze frosted, glazed or drizzled cookies because they can become too moist under the frosting, glaze or drizzle. Thaw the cookies in the plastic food container at room temperature. Remove from container any cookies that should be crisp when thawed.

When was Krumkake invented? ›

Krumkake is believed to be a 1,000-year-old recipe. They are beautifully coned shaped thin buttery cookies with delicate detail from the iron they are baked in. Norwegians have passed down their recipes for Krumkaker for generations.

What is the meaning of Krumka? ›

noun. a type of thin, sweet, waffle-like biscuit traditional in Norway. Collins English Dictionary.

What does Floki mean in Norwegian? ›

Meaning:Heroic Viking. Floki is a masculine name of Icelandic and Nordic origins. It means "heroic Viking," and is said to be the name of the Viking who discovered, and named, Iceland.

What does Tusen Takk mean in Norwegian? ›

Thank you very much” in Norwegian is tusen takk.

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