Krumkaker are cone shaped, waffle-like cookies with a pretty pattern, and a very classic and popular in Norwegian cuisine, particularly around Christmas time. I would venture to say it’s probably the most well known and made pastry besides lefse, and a true symbol of the holidays. 

Recipes for krumkaker can be found in the oldest Nordic cookbooks dating all the way back to 1648, and the first Norwegian cookbooks all had different versions.  Norway’s first printed cookbook by Maren Elisabeth Bangs, included recipes for both thick, thin and and regular krumkaker.  The biggest repertoire of krumkake recipes can be found by Henriette Rude and Hanna Winsnes who respectively offer six and seven recipes each.  It’s important to note that “krumkaker” was a common denominator for a wide selection of cookies that could be rolled into a cone, and not only the kind we think of as krumkaker today. 

As with many other cookies, the ingredients in krumkaker are classically flour, eggs, sugar and butter, and is often spiced with cardamom.   Because the recipe also calls for potato starch, there is no need to add eggs in the batter, as the potato starch will act as a nice binder.  I’ve regardless chosen to add a little aquafaba, which works beautifully. 

Krumkaker are typically filled with cloudberry cream, and while I often have cloudberry jam in the house, I think nothing really replaces fresh cloudberries that I’ve picked myself from the secret spot by our cabin in the mountains in Norway. 

So instead, I chose to fill my krumkaker this time with trollkrem, (“Troll Cream”), but instead of lingonberries I chose wild berries, a mix of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries.   Wild berries grow everywhere in Norway, in fact there are over 40 different types of berries growing in Norway and Sweden, and it’s very common to go out and forage for them.  I’ve often said in previous blog posts that it is in Scandinavia you find the tastiest, juiciest and freshest berries, so I consider these one of the most authentic ingredients in Nordic cooking. 

Trollkrem is a super simple dessert made with only three ingredients: egg whites, lingonberries and sugar, and often served on New Year’s Eve.  To replace the egg whites, I’ve used aquafaba, which works like a charm.  Simply start by whipping up the aquafaba with a little cream of tartar, then slowly add in the sugar.  It is important to use a stand-mixer on high speed and to be sure to whip the aquafaba for about 10 minutes, but no longer than 12 minutes. 

Look at the gorgeous color and texture of this aquafaba (chickpea liquid) trollkrem: 

When looking into why this dessert is called trollkrem, there isn’t a definite explanation. One is that the names stems from one of the ingredients; tyttebær; Norway’s name for lingonberries. According to Norwegian etymology, trollbær was a common name for a variety of wild berries.   Another theory is that trolls live in the mountains, where most berries also grow, and a third is that there is something magical or “troll like” when the tart lingonberries get mixed with the sugar and egg whites (in my case, aquafaba) and transforms into the tastiest dessert… So there you have it – pick the story you like best! 

If you don’t feel like making trollkrem, you can fill the krumkaker with vegan ice cream or any other type of whipped cream made from either coconut cream of aquafaba and even drizzle it with a little melted chocolate… Use your creativity – no filling will taste bad in these delicious cardamom cone cookies!

_____________________________________________________

VEGAN KRUMKAKER

about 4 tbsp aquafaba, whipped*
1 cup (225g) margarine or butter, melted and cooled
1 cup (225g) sugar
1 cup (225g) potato starch
1 cup (225g) all purpose flour
1/2 cup (125ml) water
2 tsp ground cardamom

*see recipe for trollkrem below for how to prepare aquafaba

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, or in a medium bowl by hand, carefully fold in the aquafaba, water and melted butter.  Let the batter sit for about 30 minutes to swell. 

Heat your krumkake iron and bake the cookies according to the iron’s directions.  Using the krumkake cone roller, quickly roll the cookies into a cone as soon as you lift the krumake out of the iron, the batter will seize up and stiffen quickly.  Let the krumkaker cool while you make the trollkrem.

Cookies will keep for several days in an airtight container. 

TROLLKREM

1 x 15 oz (425g) can chickpeas, liquid drained and chickpeas reserved for later use
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 x 10 oz (283g) bag frozen wild berries, thawed
3/4 cups (150g) granulated or confectioner’s sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

In a bowl of a stand mixer, add the drained liquid from the chickpea can (aquafaba) with the cream of tartar, and start whisking on high. After 5 minutes, slowly add in the sugar or confectioner’s sugar along with the vanilla extract for another 5 minutes until stiff peaks form. 

While the aquafaba is whisking, throw the berries into a blender with a few drops of water and puree until smooth. Set aside until ready to use>

Carefully fold the pureed berries in with the whipped aquafaba, taste for sweetness and adjust accordingly.   

Note: Use the whipped aquafaba the same day – it won’t keep its shape overnight, and is best enjoyed the same day.