Sju sorters kakor facts for kids
Sju sorters kakor (say "shoe SOR-ters KAH-kor") means "seven kinds of cookies" in Swedish. It's a fun Swedish and Norwegian Christmas tradition. When people have guests, they usually bake seven different types of cookies.
The exact cookies can be different for each family. But it's always seven kinds! If you make fewer than seven, it might seem like you didn't try hard enough. If you make more, it might seem like you're showing off. This tradition started in Sweden and is now popular in Norway and among people of Scandinavian heritage in America.
Contents
The Story Behind Seven Cookies
Coffee's Big Comeback
For a long time, Sweden had a rule against drinking coffee. But in 1823, this rule was finally lifted! This meant people could drink coffee freely again. Soon, coffee became very popular all over the country.
Small cafes, called "kaffehuses," started to open up. They served coffee along with "småkakor," which means "little cookies." As these cafes grew, so did the love for coffee and cookies.
The Rise of Fika
The Swedish custom of "fika" became very common. Fika is a special break for coffee and a treat. It's a time to relax and chat with friends or family.
Because fika was so popular, people wanted to make the best cookies. Hosts felt pressure to offer many different kinds of delicious cookies for their guests. This helped the "seven cookies" idea grow.
Cookies After the War
After World War II, around 1945, things became easier to find. Ingredients for cookies were cheaper and easier to buy. This made baking much more simple for everyone.
In 1945, a cookbook called Swedish Cakes and Cookies by Märta Holmgren was published. It sold over 3.8 million copies! This book became Sweden's best-selling cookbook ever. It helped spread the tradition of "Sju sorters kakor" even further, making it super popular throughout the 20th century.
Popular Cookie Types
There are many different cookies that can be part of the "seven kinds." Here are some popular ones you might find:
- Finska pinnar, or Finnish sticks – These are crunchy almond cookies. They are often topped with pearl sugar, which looks like tiny white beads.
- Schackrutor – These cookies look like a checkerboard! They are made from two different doughs: one vanilla and one cocoa.
- Kardemumma Skorpor – A sweet sugar cookie. It gets its special taste from crushed cardamom seeds sprinkled on top.
- Brysselkex, or Brussels cookie – Another sugar cookie. This one is usually topped with bright red-colored sugar.
- Muskotsnittar – These are stick-shaped cookies. They are coated in yummy cinnamon and ginger spices.
- Drömmar, or dream cookies – These vanilla cookies are super light and airy. They almost melt in your mouth, like a dream!
- Havreflarn – A thin, chewy oatmeal cookie. It's flat and often has a slightly crispy edge.
- Hallongrottor – These are "thumbprint" cookies. You press your thumb into the middle and fill it with different jams, often raspberry.
- Mandelkubb – An almond cookie with a unique, slightly bitter taste.
- Pepparkakor – These are gingerbread cookies. They are very popular, especially around Christmas, and often come in fun shapes.
Gallery
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Various cookies on a tray
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A typical fika spread with tea and treats.
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A tray full of mandelkubb cookies.
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Drömmar cookies baking on a sheet.
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Delicious drömmar cookies, ready to eat.
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Decorated pepparkakor cookies on a tray.
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A tray of havreflarn cookies.
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