Norwegian Berlinerkranser

Seven Cookies for Christmas

It was said in times past that a proper Norwegian housewife should have seven types of cookies to serve her Christmas guests.

My best friends Norwegian mother kept this tradition with a plate of seven different cookies that she delivered to my family every Christmas.  A few of my favorites were her Pepperkaker, Almond Tartlets, and Berlinerkranser. She was gracious enough to share her traditional cookie recipes with me. 

What I love about Norwegian Christmas cookies

• Cookies can be made a few weeks in advance and stored in airtight containers (I prefer tin over plastic) then stored in a cool place or frozen.
• The flavor improves with age
• The cookies are simple but very impressive to serve and gift
• Butter!  The cookies are made with butter.  Butter has a lower than body temperature for melting, which means they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Let’s make Berlinerkranser cookies

• Gather and measure the ingredients.
• Give the butter a few turns with the paddle to lighten it up and then add the sugar.  Beat until creamy, about 2 minutes, then add the egg and beat well.
• Add the orange zest and the flour.
• Stir until batter is smooth.  It’s that easy.

• To shape, use a little less than 1 tablespoon of dough.
• Roll into a snake shape.
• Form into a wreath shape by overlapping each and then gently pressing each together.
• For a more traditional shape, make a loop and overlap each end.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet for easy removal.  

• Before sprinkling the cookies with sugars, they need to be brushed with an egg wash.  Beat one egg until a little foamy.
• Gently brush the top of each cookie
• Sprinkle with pearl sugar or coarse sparkling sugar.
• Bake in a preheated 350℉ oven.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  The bottoms should barely begin to be a golden color.  Cool cookies then store in a covered tin in a cool place. 

Tips for baking perfect Berlinerkranser

• Use European-style butter because they have more butterfat and less water.  Resulting in a more tender cookie that will melt-in-your-mouth texture and feel.  My favorite brands to use are Plugra and Kerrigold  Irish butter. I use unsalted butter.  For more flavor add a pinch of salt, if desired.
• Butter should be cold to the touch but warm enough to spread.  
• Don’t rush the process of creaming the butter and sugar, but don’t overmix either.  The longer the butter is creamed the warmer it can become.  This could result in a sticky dough that is hard to shape.
• Don’t pack flour into the measuring cup.  I like to stir my flour before gently scooping into the measuring cup.
• If cookies seem difficult to shape (I’ve never had this problem), the dough can be chilled until it is easier to handle or simply dust hands with flour while shaping.
• Don’t overbake.  Bake just until beginning to lightly brown around edges.

Create your own Seven Cookies for Christmas platter using these wonderful cookie recipes:

Butter Dream Sugar Cookies

Norwegian Pepperkaker

Marzipan Cookies

Scottish Shortbread

Almond Tartlets

Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Drop Cookies

If you make these wonderful cookies, please comment below and give them a star rating in the recipe card below. 

3.7 from 23 votes

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Norwegian Berlinerkranser

Norwegian Berlingerkranser cookies are orange scented butter cookie.  Traditionally on a plate with seven different types of traditional Norwegian cookies given at Christmas.  

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Norwegian

Keyword butter cookies, Norwegian berlinerkranser, Norwegian cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 30 cookies

Calories 88 kcal

Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

Berlinerkranser:

• 3/4 cup butter softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• grated zest from one orange
• 2 cups flour

Topping:

• 1 egg beaten
• cane sugar or pearl sugar

Instructions

1. Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and beat well. Add orange zest and flour. Mix to form a stiff dough. Take less than a tablespoon of dough and shape into a rope then form into a circle creating a wreath shape. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

2. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Cookies will be light and barely starting to brown on the edges. Cool completely. Makes 30 cookies

Recipe Notes

Janet's Notes:

• Use European-style butter because they have more butterfat and less water.  Resulting in a more tender cookie that will melt-in-your-mouth texture and feel.  My favorite brands to use are Plugra and Kerrigold  Irish butter. I use unsalted butter.  For more flavor add a pinch of salt, if desired.
• Butter should be cold to the touch but warm enough to spread.  
• Don't rush the process of creaming the butter and sugar, but don't overmix either.  The longer the butter is creamed the warmer it can become.  This could result in a sticky dough that is hard to shape.
• Don't pack flour into the measuring cup.  I like to stir my flour before gently scooping into the measuring cup.
• If cookies seem difficult to shape (I've never had this problem), the dough can be chilled until it is easier to handle or simply dust hands with flour while shaping.
• Don't overbake.  Bake just until beginning to lightly brown around edges.
• Baked Berlinerkranser can be stored in a tin with a tight-fitting lid and placed in a cool room for up to 3 weeks.  They can be frozen as well. 

Nutrition Facts

Norwegian Berlinerkranser

Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)

Calories 88 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 23mg8%

Sodium 44mg2%

Potassium 14mg0%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 0g0%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 160IU3%

Calcium 4mg0%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Great Christmas recipes:

English Toffee

Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Updated post:  Originally posted 2014, updated 2018 with a printable recipe card, nutrition, and updated photos