Mandelkubb och Nötiga Havrekakor - Almond Logs and Nutty Oat Cookies

I want to share a recipe for a classic fika cookie that has almost been forgotten but that has now had a bit of a revival, stemming from the renewed interest in retro and vintage and 50's style. It is the slightly understated Almond Log. It has an aromatic flavor of almonds and bitter almonds. It is almost a hybrid between vetebröd and a biscuit. It has a dry, short texture, and I had forgotten all about it when I found this recipe in my mother's recipe book. I can't remember her ever baking it, probably because we carried it in the shop.

I believe this was one of the first baked goods in Sweden that appeared on the shop shelves, pre-made and packaged for convenience. It was one of my father's favourite fika treats! When the baker brought the daily delivery he would usually offer Mandelkubb and my father would serve coffee. I had a habit of popping in for a visit when I knew they were about to sit down for fika, since I knew they would let me have my own favorite fika treat; the chokladbiskvi!

The Nutty Oat Cookies are another old favorite; our whole family enjoys the crunchy nutty oatiness!

Almond Logs and Nutty Oat Cookies

Recipe for the easy to make Almond Logs: (makes 30)

Ingredients:
2 eggs
3 dl sugar
150 g. butter, softened
1 1/2 dl sour cream
15 ground bitter almonds (or the equivalent amount of bitter almond essence) 
15 ground almonds
1 tbsp baker's ammonia (ammonium carbonate)
11 dl plain flour

Garnish:
whisked egg, chopped almonds, pearl sugar

Method:

Whisk egg and sugar. Add butter, almonds, flour mixed with baker's ammonia.

Then add the sour cream. Work the dough together using your hands. Let it rest a little while.

Roll out into two thick ropes. Brush them with whisked egg, sprinkle with chopped almonds and pear sugar.

Cut each rope into 15 triangles, making a total of 30 triangles. Place on a baking sheet covered in baking parchment. Bake on middle rack, 225 degrees C (440 F), approx 15 minutes. They should get slightly golden and somewhat dry.


Here is another quick and easy cookie recipe! Makes 50 cookies.

Ingredients:
5 dl rolled oats
2 dl plain flour
2 tsp baker's ammonia
200 g. butter, softened
2 1/2 dl sugar
100 g. hazelnuts, ground

to garnish: 50 g chocolate of your choice, melted

Method:

Quickly work together all the ingredients, using your hands. Roll the dough into balls and place them spaced out on a baking sheet covered with baking parchment.

Flatten each ball somewhat using the palm oj your hand. Bake on middle rack, at 175 degrees C (350 F) for 12-15 minutes. They should dry and crisp up and color slightly. When they have cooled, melt some chocolate drizzle over each cookie.

That's all for now, I hope you give these quick and easy cookies a try!