Doesn't that picture just make you want to get a big ol' glass of milk?
I figured that since I haven't posted up any Finnish cookies, that today was as good a time as any. First, a few things about Christmas & Finland.
Like the other scandinavian countries, the Finns scrub their homes to the floorboards for Christmas, and are sure to feed the some of the wild animals as well as themselves before their Christmas feast. It is tradition to tie up a sheaf of grain, nuts and seeds to a pole in the garden or yard for the birds & little animals to feast on. This is one tradition I personally LOVE.
Dinner is only allowed to start after the animals have feasted, and the first star is visible in the night sky. (And after everyone in the family gets a good sauna & puts on their best clean clothes)
The Christmas tree - generally a fir - is decorated to the hilt with apples, other fruits, candy, paper flags, cotton ornaments and tinsel.
They do not hang stockings, but wait as Santa comes door to door with some of his helper elves to deliver the gifts. By the way, did you know Santa is supposed to live in Finland? Well, that's what the Finns say, anyhow. ;) Who would blame him though? Incredibly beautiful country that it is!!
Anyhow, For the Finns, Finlanders, what ever you may call them, here is today's recipe....
Finska Pinnar (Finnish Fingers)
2-1/2 cups of sifted flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 pound of butter, softened
1 tsp. almond extract
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
**pearl sugar, crushed loaf sugar, colored sugar, or other sparkly preety sugars (no jimmies)
Combine flour and sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until it's crumbly. Sprinkle the almond extract over the top and knead lightly but well to distribute the flavoring.
Divide dough into 8 parts and with floured hands, roll into long strips the thickness of your little finger. Cut into 2 inch lengths and press the tops a little to flatten it out just a hair.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet, spaced about an inch apart. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle the almonds & fancy sugar on top.
Bake at 350* for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a delicate golden brown.
Remove from pan to cooling rack to cool completely.
Makes approximately 6 dozen finska pinnar. ;)
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