The Swedish people celebrate Advent during December, a time for them to honor both their religious traditions and light. Most families light a candlestick on each Sunday until they have four long candlesticks burning, bringing warmth into their home during the cold winter.

Along with their celebration of Advent, their cooking and baking also gives them warmth. One of the common treats is gingerbread, best known as pepparkakor by the Swedes. Shaped like a flower or snowflake, this thin gingerbread is known to bring you good luck —  but only if you can break it into three pieces in one try. Not only is this treat delicious, but it is also fun!

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

8 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

6 tablespoon white sugar

1/4 cup molasses

2 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon orange extract

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 large egg

Recipe:

1. Mix the flour and baking soda in a large bowl.
2. Combine the butter, sugars, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, orange extract, salt, cloves, and pepper in a medium-sized saucepan and set it over medium heat. While the butter starts to melt, whisk the mixture until all of the sugar dissolves. Once everything begins to simmer, remove the pan from the heat. Let it cool (about 30 minutes).
3. Add an egg into the cooled mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour the mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and fold until no dry flour remains.
4. Refrigerate (a couple of hours or a whole day).
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Then, take about a tablespoonful worth of dough and roll them into balls with damp hands.
7. Position the dough so that there is an even amount of space between them.
8. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the balls on each sheet and use the bottom of a dry measuring cup to flatten each to about ¼ inch thick.
9. Remove the plastic and bake until brown (about 14-16 minutes). Tip: Switch the positioning of the baking sheets halfway throughout the baking so that each side is evenly browned.
10. Let the gingerbread cool for about 10 minutes before you eat them so that they can get really crunchy! Enjoy!