Danish Smalls Klejner
Transport your taste buds to a cozy Scandinavian kitchen with this authentic Danish Smalls Klejner recipe. These delicate, golden-hued pastries are a traditional Christmas favorite in Denmark, featuring a buttery, cardamom-scented dough kissed with a hint of fresh lemon zest. The dough is twisted into elegant diamond shapes before being fried to crisp perfection, creating a treat that’s both visually captivating and irresistibly delicious. Perfectly paired with a cup of coffee or mulled wine, these klejner deliver a heavenly balance of light sweetness and warm spices. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and signature twisted design, they make an impressive addition to any holiday spread or dessert table. Plus, the recipe includes simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, ensuring you can easily bring a taste of Danish tradition to your home.
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Ingredients
- 500 grams All-purpose flour
- 100 grams Granulated sugar
- 150 grams Unsalted butter
- 2 large Eggs
- 100 ml Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 liter Vegetable oil (for frying)
Directions
Step 1
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2
In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Step 3
Stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and the flour mixture a little at a time until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Step 4
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 5mm (1/4 inch) thickness. Using a pastry cutter or knife, cut the dough into small diamond shapes, approximately 5cm (2 inches) long.
Step 5
Carefully cut a small slit in the center of each diamond, then pull one end of the diamond through the slit to create the signature twisted shape of klejner.
Step 6
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 180°C (350°F). Test the oil with a small piece of dough—it should sizzle and turn golden within 1 minute.
Step 7
Fry the twisted klejner in small batches until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 8
Allow the klejner to cool completely and serve them plain, or sprinkle with powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1872.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 11584.9 |
| Total Fat 1086.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 228.9g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 804.1mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1834.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 486.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 14.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 101.7g | |
| Protein 65.6g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 82IU | 0% |
| Calcium 167.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 25.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 738.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories