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Mjuk pepparkaka
Soft gingerbread loaf
Mjuk pepparkaka: soft Swedish gingerbread loaf with sour cream
When Swedish cooks talk about soft gingerbread they mean a tender, dark loaf cake that comes out in December but is welcome at fika all year, especially in farmhouse kitchens in Småland and Värmland. Sour cream keeps it moist, and the spice mix of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cardamom fills the house as it bakes. It is often eaten in thick slices with butter or a slice of cheese. A common mistake is overbaking it until dry; it should still be just moist on the skewer. Chef's tip: wrap it as soon as it has cooled; it tastes even better the next day.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz buttermelted, plus extra for the tin
- 2 tbsp dried breadcrumbsfor the tin
- 2 eggs
- 7 oz soft brown sugar
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 9 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 1.5-litre loaf tin and coat it with 2 tbsp dried breadcrumbs.
3 minStep 2: Whisk 2 eggs and 7 oz soft brown sugar for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy. Stir in ¾ cup sour cream and 3 ½ oz butter.
5 minStep 3: Mix 9 oz plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground cardamom and 1 pinch salt and fold into the batter until just smooth.
3 minStep 4: Pour into the tin and bake for 40–45 minutes until risen and a skewer in the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack.
45 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mjuk pepparkaka take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of dried breadcrumbs?
- Crushed crackers or cornflakes, same amount.
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