Name: Simple Norwegian Butter Cookies (Serinakaker)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick); 2 egg yolks; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup all purpose flour; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or lemon extract

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It only takes five ingredients to make these delicious, fluffy little Norwegian butter cookies. These are a traditional Christmas cookie that are simple and perfect for the holiday season!

** POST UPDATED MAY 26, 2024 **

Christmas and the holidays aren’t complete without making some type of cookie recipe. There are so many that are my favorite, but one that sticks out because of its simplicity is the Norwegian butter cookie. They are really easy to make, have simple ingredients and a wonderful addition to a cookie platter. This recipe is inspired by a vintage recipe I found flipping through an old cookbook I was gifted by my husband’s grandmother. The cookbook was given to her when she was married in the 1960s. In fact, a few of the cookie recipes I have listed on the blog are inspired by that cookbook.

The other reason these cookies are one of my favorites is because they are a Norwegian Christmas cookie, which is probably pretty obvious given the title. My husband’s side of the family is very Norwegian. I’ve had fun over the years finding and making traditional Norwegian cookies and desserts for the holidays as a sort of tradition. These cookies are truly a classic and one that I’ve made for the last few years. Made with simple ingredients, 5 to be exact, these Norwegian butter cookies will soon become one of your favorites to make!

PIN FOR LATER!

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

Medium mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Whisk or hand mixer
Mixing spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Cookie press or piping bag (optional)
Baking sheet
Cooling rack

INGREDIENTS

½ cup softened butter 1 stick
2 egg yolks
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
½ tsp vanilla extract or lemon extract

HOW TO MAKE NORWEGIAN BUTTER COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 375°F, then place the softened butter in a medium sized mixing bowl and whisk or beat the butter until it’s light and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, separate two eggs, leaving just the yolk. Mix the egg yolks together with a fork then mix them into the butter.

Next, at the sugar and beat until full incorporated.

Lastly, mix in the vanilla extract and flour with a mixing spoon until it forms a smooth ball.

Add the dough to cookie press or a piping bag, then place each cookie on a lined baking sheet, spaced 2-3 inches part. You can also use a tablespoon measure to scoop the dough, roll it into balls, then flatten each cookie with the bottom of a floured drinking glass.

Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until just golden brown.

WAYS TO DECORATE NORWEGIAN BUTTER COOKIES

Prior to baking, add colored sugar or sand sugar.
Prior to baking, add slivered almonds to the top of the cookies.
If you’re not using a cookie press or piping bag, you can score the top with a fork, similar to how you would for a peanut butter cookie.
Once the cookies have cooled slightly, dust some powdered sugar over top.
Leave them plain and simple!

NOTES

This recipe is a great one to use with a cookie press.
You can place the dough in a piping bag, then using a 1M Wilton tip (or any piping tip you have), pipe the cookie dough onto the baking sheet.
Using a piping bag isn’t the easiest, but it does make a pretty cookie.
Don’t over bake these cookies as they will get really dry.
If you don’t have a cookie press or piping bag, use a tablespoon measuring spoon to measure out your cookies.

HOW TO STORE THESE COOKIES

FREEZING: Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 1 hour. Put the dough into a gallon freezer baggie and freeze. You can also bake the cookies, allow them to cool completely and then place them in a gallon freezer bag or airtight container and put them in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to eat them, take them out of the freezer and allow to thaw for an hour. Use prior to 4 months for the best taste.
STORAGE: These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or gallon baggie for up to 1 week. To keep them moist, add a slice of bread in the container!

Simple Norwegian Butter Cookies (Serinakaker)

Yield: 15-18

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

It only takes five ingredients to make these delicious, fluffy little Norwegian butter cookies. These are a traditional Christmas cookie that are simple and perfect for the holiday season!

Ingredients

1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or lemon extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F, then place the softened butter in a medium sized mixing bowl and whisk or beat the butter until it's light and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, separate two eggs, leaving just the yolk. Mix the egg yolks together with a fork then mix them into the butter.
Next, at the sugar and beat until full incorporated.
Lastly, mix in the vanilla extract and flour with a mixing spoon until it forms a smooth ball.
Add the dough to cookie press or a piping bag, then place each cookie on a lined baking sheet, spaced 2-3 inches part. You can also use a tablespoon measure to scoop the dough, roll it into balls, then flatten each cookie with the bottom of a floured drinking glass.
Optional: Add colored sugar or sliced almonds to the top of each cookie as desired.
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until just golden brown.

Notes

This recipe is a great one to use with a cookie press.
You can place the dough in a piping bag, then using a 1M Wilton tip (or any piping tip you have), pipe the cookie dough onto the baking sheet.
Using a piping bag isn't the easiest, but it does make a pretty cookie.
Don't over bake these cookies as they will get really dry.
If you don't have a cookie press or piping bag, use a tablespoon measuring spoon to measure out your cookies.

Nutrition Information

Yield 18 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 88Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 34mgSodium 42mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 1g

Nutrition facts can vary based on different brands of ingredients and does not account for substitutions. This nutrition information is only an estimate.

Looking for more Christmas cookie recipes like these Norwegian butter cookies? Check these out!

Did you make these Norwegian butter cookies? If you enjoyed them, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave the recipe a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this recipe!