Each week in December 2016, we’ll explore a way that we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ into the world. For these stories and more, please download the December News for the Flock.
Dec 1: Taste | Dec. 8: See | Dec. 15: Hear | Dec. 22: Feel
Every year the O.K.’s (Older Kids) gather in the Great Hall to make traditional Scandinavian cookies. The cookies are then packaged and prayed over by the pastors before they are delivered to homebound members. Helen Eidem has been leading this effort and remembers growing up in a church with a similar tradition:
We had lutefisk meals at SOTV and they purchased the desserts. I had grown up in a church where they made Scandinavian cookies so I asked some of the women if they would be willing to do that. I planned with the kitchen manager and with their help and a good response from cookie bakers we started baking Scandinavian treats.
It is a great time to get together to meet new people, visit, work, and enjoy the company of others. Many people bring their special baking tins, expertise, and love of baking to make these wonderful treats. Time passes quickly and we get many dozens of cookies made in a morning working together at church.
Contacting some of the bakers that have baked before is rewarding as they are so willing to help. Some people I don’t have to call as they ask me when are we going to bake and that we can count on them.
Bakers or those that attend the Christmas event are encouraged to take a container of cookies with special homemade cards to those who are not able to join us, or need to be remembered. Letting members know we think of them and care about them is important.
This year’s cookie baking will be Thursday, Dec. 8 at 9:00 am. Please contact Helen at eidem@integra.net to let her know you plan to help.
Helen was kind enough to share a few recipes you can try at home. Thanks Helen!
Spritz Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. almond flavoring
- 3 cups flour
Mix dough well and place in cookie press. If you don’t have a cookie press, use a pastry bag, or roll into balls and flatten them. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees 8-10 minutes.
Sandbakkels
Cream 1 cup butter and 1 cup powdered sugar
Add 1 egg, 1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract 2 1/3 cups flour
Form into balls the size of a walnut. Press into tins evenly and set on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool 1-2 minutes before turning tart pan over.
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