Scandinavian Baking

Recently, I have had a resurgence of interest in my heritage and culture. Possibly some of my interest has to do with being around my mother, Hildur, more, and looking through her geneology book, and the realization that she will not be around forever. Hildur is 85 years old and has had a year+ of medical issues, but her mind is sharp & her body willing for the most part. Anyway, I am off track...yesterday my husband, Dale & I decided that we would scout around at our local "Grandma's Attic," an antique shop in Bemidji. Dale collects the magazine, "Fur, Fish & Game," and I just like to look and occasionally buy something unique or fun. Well, Dale hit the jackpot with 8 issues of his favorite magazine and I found a small box with 14 little tart pans in a set, Sandbakkel Set ((Ekte Norsk)...well, how could I pass that up?? And, it was only $4, so it was a given that it would come home with me, and there also was a recipe inside the box! See enclosed picture.

The Sand Bakkels are a shortening, egg, flour, etc. mixture that you press into each little tart and bake for 15 minutes, cool, and then you can fill these little tarts with different variations...pie filling, ice cream, baked custard...so, I plan on trying this sometime during the holiday season. Recipe follows...if you are inclined to make them, too!

Sand Tarts

1 cup shortening (1/2 butter)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, unbeaten

1 tsp. almond extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Cream shortening & butter, add sugar & cream well. Add egg & extract. Add flour to make a stiff dough. Pinch off a small ball of dough. Place it in the center of the tin and with your thumb press dough evenly on inside of sand bakkel tin, spreading it as thin as possible on the bottom of and side of tin. Place filled tins on cookie sheet. Bake in moderate oven (375) for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before removing from tins. To remove from tin, invert the tin and tap gently. Fill with fruit topped with whipped cream or ice cream, pudding or custard. Enjoy!