Toscaboard Swedish Almond Cookies Recipes

SWEDISH GROUND ALMOND SPRITZ COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the almonds out on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned or until they give off an aroma. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool completely. Grind to a consistency resembling rough sand in a food processor or blender. Be sure almonds are cool, or you will make almond butter.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the almond extract and milk. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt, and mix in along with the ground toasted almonds to form a soft dough. Refrigerate the dough for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help the cookies keep their shape after pressing.
• Lightly grease cookie sheets, and fill cookie press with dough. Press out cookies at least 1 inch apart depending on the size. You can experiment with different cookie designs. I've found most true Swedes tend to use the star shape, however, you're free to use whatever shape suits your fancy.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on the cookie sheets for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

SWEDISH TOSCAS (SWEDISH ALMOND TARTS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cream the butter with the white sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix in 1 cup flour and stir to make a smooth dough. Divide the mixture by placing even amounts into the cups of a 12-cup muffin tin. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of each cup.
• To make the filling, mix the slivered almonds, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons butter in a small pan. Stir in the cream, and 2 teaspoons flour. Cook and stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until it boils, about 10 minutes. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tart shells.
• Bake in preheated oven until tops and crust edges are light brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool 10 to 15 minutes before removing the tarts from the muffin pan. Cool completely on a rack.

SWEDISH ALMOND RUSKS

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in extract. Sift together flour, cardamom and baking soda; add alternately with sour cream to creamed mixture. Fold in almonds. Divide dough into 6 parts; shape into logs (like refrigerated cookie dough). Place 3 each on 2 greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until light brown. , Remove logs to cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice logs diagonally 1/2 in. thick. Place cookies on sheets; return to oven and bake until light brown. Cool; store in tightly covered containers.

SCANDINAVIAN ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and almond extract; mix until fluffy. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt; mix well.
• Divide dough into 4 pieces, and roll each one into a log about 12 inches long. Place 2 logs per cookie sheet 4 to 5 inches apart. Flatten each roll by hand until it is about 3 inches wide. Brush flattened roll with milk and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Bake in preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. While the cookies are still warm, cut them crosswise at a diagonal, into slices about 1 inch wide. When cool, drizzle with almond icing.
• Almond icing: In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cookies.

TOSCABOARD (SWEDISH ALMOND COOKIES)

Steps:

• Crust: Combine flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter to form coarse meal. Add water and mix just until dough holds together. Divide in half and flatten each piece into a 3X6 inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour or up to a day.
• Position oven rack in centre of oven and preheat to 400ºF.
• Roll one piece of dough out on a lightly floured cloth to form a 6X12 inch rectangle.
• Transfer to a large ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with second piece of dough.
• Prick dough all over with a fork. Fold outer 3/4 inch of pastry over towards centre making a double edge. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Bake until just beginning to colour, about 11-12 minutes, piercing with a fork if they begin to puff up.
• Topping:Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Add sugar, half and half and flour and whisk until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn off heat and mix in almonds.
• Immediately divide topping between crusts spreading evenly. Return to 400ºF oven and bake until topping bubbles and is light golden brown, about 15-17 minutes.
• Immediately cut pastries into 2 inch wide strips.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.