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Posted Online: 11/12/02

Sweden is located in Northern Europe. Normally, the latitude of Sweden would signify long and bitterly cold winters. Although the winters are long, Sweden does not experience the bitter cold winters of Minnesota because of Gulf Stream Ocean Current warming.

The population of Sweden is 8,876,744 (July 2002 estimate). The Lutheran Church has been the state church of Sweden for a long period of time. Recent new laws may bring this status to an end.

The people of Sweden have to deal with long, dark winter nights. On December 13, the families in homes throughout Sweden celebrate St. Lucia Day. A young girl in the family wears a lighted wreath on her had and serves the family warm ginger snaps or lucia buns in the morning.

Source: CIA World Book and Christmas Around the World.

The Isanti County Human Rights Commission hopes you will enjoy and try to make the following Swedish recipe:

Basel Chocolate Spice cookies (Basel Brunsli, Sweden)

1 1/4 cups blanched whole almonds (about 7 oz.)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate (chopped fairly fine)
1/4 tsp. almond extract
2 large egg whites
2 to 5 Tbsp. confectioner's sugar for rolling out cookies.

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line several baking sheets with aluminum foil. In a food processor, process the almonds and 1 cup powdered sugar until the almonds are powder fine but not oily. Stop the processor and scrape down the sides several times. Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves and chocolate; continue processing until the chocolate is finely ground. Add the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar, the almond extract and egg whites; process until the mixture is blended and just forms a mass. Set the dough aside for 5 to 10 minutes to stiffen slightly.

Generously dust a work surface with powdered sugar. If the dough seems too soft to roll out easily, dust it with more powdered sugar and knead until the consistency is manageable, but avoid adding any more sugar than is absolutely necessary. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness, lifting it with a spatula frequently and redusting the surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Cut out the cookies with a 2 1/4 inch cutter. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.

Bake the cookies for 9-12 minutes or until almost firm on top and slightly puffy. Let them stand on the foil lined baking sheets until completely cooled. Peel from the foil. Store airtight for 3 or 4 days. Freeze, airtight, for longer storage. Makes about 40 2 1/4-inch cookies.