Hearts, stars and angels fill the plate, delicate Christmas shapes of the thinnest biscuit you can imagine. There’s no need for coloured icing or silver sugar balls, they don’t need help to make children love them. Pepparkaka biscuits are part of every Swedish child’s run-up to Christmas. A simple shape packed with the fragrance of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger, baked to a crisp thin that melts in your mouth.
This is the fragrance of Christmas for me, it heralds all the good things. Family getting together, a sumptuous meal and the fun of giving and receiving presents as we all gather around the tree for the annual sharing of gifts. Making a gift as all or part of a present for friends and family carries a silent special message, that you care and you spent time thinking of them as you Mixed, stirred, roasted and baked. Each item having individuality even if you scorched it.
These tiny banana breads are perfect as a hostess gift or packed on a decorative tray as a surprise for someone under the tree. With the fabulous fragrance of Pepperkaka and the irresistible sweetness of banana bread they are a winner. You can bake as one big loaf, just leave in the oven a little longer, 45-50 minutes until well risen, golden and skewer comes out clean.
- 100g Unsalted butter
- 175g Light brown sugar
- 215g Self raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cardamom
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 2tsp Ground ginger
- ½tsp Ground cloves
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 Medium bananas, mashed
- 2 Medium bananas cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- Preheat oven to 180c, 160c fan, gas mark 3, 325f.
- Cream the butter and sugar until the mix smooth and fluffy
- Mix the flour and baking powder together with the cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
- Fold into the butter and sugar, then add the milk and the mashed bananas
- Stir in the chopped bananas being careful not to break them up.
- Divide evenly between 6 greased mini loaf tins or cardboard moulds.
- Sprinkle the top with brown sugar for a crunchy top
- Bake for 25mins until well risen and golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven leave to cool and tie with a festive ribbon
- If making one large loaf bake for 45 - 50 mins.
This looks delicious, I definitely need to make some.
Just gorgeous GG! I love Scandinavian baking. It’s so delicious and aromatic 😀
This would be great for Christmas morning or brunch buffet!
Happy Holidays, GG!
Angie
I love all the warm spices in this banana bread, simply gorgeous. Right now with all the cold weather, this sounds perfect as a gift or to eat all by myself with a cup of tea or coffee. I guess I could share.
Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas, Amanda. Thank you for your friendship and support and here’s to many more years!
Nazneen xx
Bananas and spices…what a lovely little bread to share on Christmas morning. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I love banana bread so I am all over these ones. I am quite intrigued by the fact that you put banana pieces in as well. I have never tried that.
Oh yum! Love all the flavours you’ve added in, makes my banana bread look pretty damn dull! Will pin and try this recipe in the new year 😉
Janie x
PS Have a happy, creative and prosperous 2106 sweet GG <3
OH yes, what LOVELY little cakes GG and such wonderful gifts as you say too! I LOVE the way you have presented them as well, so festive and enticing! Karen
These banana breads look so very delicious.I would love them any time of day with a cup of coffee.