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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Swedish Ginger Snaps (Pepparkakor)

24 cookies

3½ hours 30 minutes active, plus cooling

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In search of a cookie that would deliver grown-up gingerbread flavor, we came across pepparkakor, or Swedish gingersnaps. With a deep, smoldering spiciness and a texture that actually “snaps,” these cookies pair equally well with wine as they do coffee or tea. A combination of dark brown and white sugars plus dark corn syrup makes a workable dough that crisps properly. Baking soda helped with browning and gave the cookies lift, making them crunchy but not hard. The pepparkakor’s distinctive spice came from ground and fresh ginger, black pepper and cayenne, and we pumped up all of them. The dough can be made up to two days in advance. The cookies keep for up to a week in an airtight container.

24

cookies

Tip

Don’t portion the dough right after mixing; it will be too soft and sticky. Because it is made with melted butter and corn syrup, the dough has to chill before it is firm enough to portion and shape.

3½ hours

30 minutes active, plus cooling

Ingredients

  • 113

    grams (8 tablespoons) salted butter, cut into 3 or 4 pieces

  • 100

    grams (½ cup packed) dark brown sugar

Directions

Reviews
Scott S.
July 3, 2026
SPICY!
25-28g 20' for crispy
Thomas F.
December 25, 2022
Great Gingerbread Cookie
This is a really flavorful gingerbread cookie, that has a little bit of a sticky consistency and heat that builds quite considerably. I highly recommend it, especially for Christmas time.

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