Norwegian Cake Doughnuts Hjortebakkels

Delight your taste buds with Norwegian Cake Doughnuts, or Hjortebakkels—a traditional Scandinavian treat that blends tender, airy dough with a hint of aromatic cardamom. These golden-brown doughnuts are made with simple pantry staples like flour, butter, and eggs, but the addition of cream of tartar (or hjortetakksalt for an authentic Norwegian touch) sets them apart, creating a perfectly delicate texture. Rolled and cut into classic ring shapes, each doughnut is fried to perfection until crisp yet light, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet and elegant touch. Perfect for pairing with coffee or tea, these traditional hjortebakkels are a must-try for fans of Scandinavian desserts and classic homemade pastries. Whether you're embracing Nordic heritage or just craving a unique fried treat, these cake doughnuts will transport you straight to the heart of Norway.

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 450 grams All-purpose flour
• 150 grams Sugar
• 100 grams Butter
• 3 large Eggs
• 120 ml Whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Cream of tartar (or hjortetakksalt for authenticity)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 liter Neutral oil (for frying)
• 50 grams Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground cardamom, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.

Step 4

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry mixture. Stir just until combined; do not overmix.

Step 5

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently to bring it together into a smooth ball.

Step 6

Roll the dough to about 1 cm thickness using a rolling pin. Use a doughnut cutter or two round cutters (one large and one small for the center hole) to cut out doughnut shapes. Gather scraps and re-roll as needed.

Step 7

Heat the neutral oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 180°C (350°F). Use a thermometer to maintain an even temperature throughout frying.

Step 8

Carefully drop 2-3 doughnuts into the hot oil at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry each side for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Step 9

Use a slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 10

Repeat until all the doughnuts are fried. Allow them to cool slightly.

Step 11

Dust the hjortebakkels with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy fresh with a warm cup of coffee or tea!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2036.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	12322.7

Total Fat 1105.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 193.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 807.9mg	0%
Sodium 3234.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 552.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.8g	0%
Total Sugars 207.8g
Protein 70.4g	0%

Vitamin D 193.5IU	0%
Calcium 328.2mg	0%
Iron 24.0mg	0%
Potassium 1418.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.0%

Protein: 2.3%

Carbs: 17.8%