Tag: Finnish

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 20: Liisa’s Salmon Christmas Pie

The whole family loves this pie, which was a relief the first time I made it, because I didn't tell them what the filling was until after they had eaten it. I love this pie for its appearance, its flavor, and how easy it is to make. The potato pastry is forgiving of the most … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 20: Liisa’s Salmon Christmas Pie

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 19: Finnish Christmas Stars

These are a project, but they are worth every minute spent on them. The pastry is easy to mix and handle, forgiving of some abuse, and yet bakes up light, layered, and delicately crisp. The prune filling is fruity and pleasantly sweet, far more than the sum of its parts. I'm not sure whose idea … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 19: Finnish Christmas Stars

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 18: Christmas Cake (Joulukakku)

Here is an unassuming little cake, awaiting its star turn tomorrow, when it becomes a Finnish Christmas Cake. I learned of this Finnish traditional cake in Beatrice Ojakangas' book, The Finnish Cookbook, but the cake recipe is my own. I adapted my mom's buttermilk cake to add some Finnish flair, with lots of freshly ground … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 18: Christmas Cake (Joulukakku)

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 17: Pulla (Finnish Cardamom Coffee Bread)

This recipe's success relies heavily on the freshness of the cardamom you use, which is why I encourage you to get cardamom pods instead of ground cardamom. Ground cardamom loses its flavor very quickly, so if you have a jar of ground cardamom that has been around for a while, you want to open it … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 17: Pulla (Finnish Cardamom Coffee Bread)