Homeschool Memoirs: Winter Treats

THEME

This week I want to invite you to share one of your favourite winter treats. A treat you look forward to making when the snow falls and include the recipe for it so others can try it out.

This is a recipe I got from my mom. I only make it at Christmas time, so I think of it as a Winter Treat. I am not sure if this was a family recipe passed down or not (I have Swedish and Norwegian roots), but I enjoy making it nevertheless :)

Scandinavian Kringler:

Ingredients (split between dough, topping, and frosting):

1 c. flour, 1/2 c. butter or margarine (chilled), 2 Tbsp ice water

1 c. water, 1/2 c. butter or margarine, 1 c. flour, 3 eggs, 1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 c. powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp butter or margarine (softened), 1/2 tsp. almond extract, 2-3 Tbsp. milk or cream, sliced almonds for topping

Measure flour and put into bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut 1/2 c butter into flour until particles are the size of a pea. Sprinkle with water, mixing lightly with a fork until flour mixture is moistened and a soft dough forms. Divide dough in half. On an ungreased cookie sheet, press each 1/2 into a 12"X3" strip.

In a medium pan, heat water and 1/2 c. butter to boiling. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 c. flour until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in 1/2 tsp. almond extract. Spoon mixture over crust, spreading to 3/4" from edges. Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool.

Blend frosting ingredients until smooth. Frost cooled kringler and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Here is a not-so-fabulous picture of some that I made last year. Doesn't look so impressive, but I assure you that it tasted really good and that is all that counts! You notice that one of the loaves is already gone.....