Show:
FINAL JEOPARDY
100

Explain (to your best ability)

The Seven Cookies of Christmas

"The Seven Cookies of Christmas" refers to the Scandinavian tradition of baking seven different types of cookies for the holiday season, known in Norwegian as syv slags kaker or in Swedish as sju sorters kakor. This tradition is a point of pride and a way for families to share their heritage through a wide assortment of homemade baked goods. 

The specific cookies included in the "seven" can vary by family and region, but there are many traditional favorites. Some common Scandinavian Christmas cookies include: 

  • Berlinerkranser: Wreath-shaped cookies made with hard-boiled egg yolks.
  • Fattigmann: "Poor man's cookies" made from a deep-fried, folded dough.
  • Krumkaker: Delicate, cone-shaped cookies baked in a special decorative iron.
  • Sandkaker: Tart-shaped "sand cookies" baked in small, fluted molds.
  • Smultringer: Small, deep-fried donuts, similar to crullers.
  • Sirupssnipper: Diamond-shaped syrup snaps, often spiced with ginger and cinnamon.
  • Serinakaker: Buttery almond cookies topped with pearl sugar.                                                                                                                                The significance of "seven"                             The number seven is often considered significant  in Scandinavian culture, but the tradition's  meaning has evolved over time. It means something like:
    A sign of prosperity: In the 19th century, baking an odd and impressive number of cookies, such as seven, nine, or eleven, was a status symbol that indicated a family's wealth.
  • sign of hospitality: In Sweden, the tradition of sju sorters kakor for coffee parties (kafferep) meant serving seven kinds of cookies. Fewer was considered stingy, while more was seen as showing off.
  • Magical and symbolic meaning: Across various cultures, the number seven holds historical and religious significance, which may have also influenced the tradition. 

  • For many, the tradition is not just about the specific types of cookies but about the memories and love that go into the baking and sharing of these treats with loved ones during the holiday season.