Norwegian Christmas cake

December 23rd

Today is Lille Jul Aften, Little Christmas Eve in Norway.  This is the day that Norwegians begin to celebrate the celebration of Christmas.  Food usually ribbe of pork is salted although some families will have pinnekjott, lamb's ribs, which will need soaking overnight.  And grot, a type of rice pudding but eaten as a late supper or lunch.  It is served with a large dollop of butter that gently melts in the middle of the rice pudding and is then sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon AND YES this is eaten as a lunch meal not a pudding!  This day also heralds when many in Norway will bring in a tree and decorate it.  We too usually decorate on this day, but brought it forward this year so mamma who returned back to Norway at the week end could join in.

Norwegians also have a Christmas cake, nothing like the rich fruit cake that is made in the UK but, you've guessed it, one based on almonds.  The Norwegians do like their nuts...


For a brief history on the cake Kransekake history

Kransekake  

You do not need specialist equipment for this but it does help.  Below I show you how to make it WITH the correct equipment and at the end how to make it WITHOUT.
You will need:

♥  500g ground almonds
♥  500g icing sugar
♥  approx. 3 egg whites
♥  melted butter or cooking spray
♥  semolina or breadcrumbs

500g ground almond

Add 500g icing sugar

Mix well together

Add enough egg WHITE to bind together without being
sticky.  I used 3 small egg whites

Form a dough, I tend to begin with the
spoon and then use my hands

You do not want it too sticky, be careful,
add icing sugar if necessary

Place into piping contraption.  If you do not have this,
and most do not, then roll
out the dough into long sausages

Oil spray the rings and either use semolina or
breadcrumbs, this prevents sticking

All piped and ready to bake at 180 degrees for 10-12 minutes

Once cooled stack rings carefully. Many stack around a bottle of aquavit

Our family prefer the kransekake a little more soft than it comes out
of the oven.  To do is, instead of the bottle place some bread inside and
this softens the cake.  Just remember to remove the bread before serving!

Waiting to be decorated on the morning of Christmas Eve

Pop back on Christmas Eve when I will
update this post with the decorated version

Instructions on how to make this without specialist equipment Kransekake simple style


Everyone in Norway will make this cake at the drop of a hat for celebrations and even the UK's very own Paul Hollywood has had a go, check out some of these kransekakes:


Manuel's kransekake

Paul Hollywood's kransekake

Sweet Paul's kransekake

Kristine's kransekake

As it is now Lille Jul Aften, I can officially greet you for Christmas in Norwegian:

 

 

♥  God Jul alle sammen  ♥