Finnish Independence Day 102 years

Hi All!

Finnish Independence is marked the 6^th of December. Although I am an Australian, much of my heritage and background is from Finland. Many of my family members live in Finland and one of my closest and dearest friends relocated there this year!

Last year I had made some Finland shaped cookies with blue icing and I was happy to see many people seemingly enjoyed this post. This time, well time wasn’t on my side as my son shared his flu with me. While I wanted to bake a new type of treat with incorporation of the Finnish flag instead, I needed to resort to a quick batch of cookies. Now I’ll let you know, this recipe I’m about to share is 3 INGREDIENTS for the base of the cookie, extra ingredients for the flavours – whatever you choose. The method is also very quick! This is a super handy recipe to have on hand for anyone who is in a pinch with time!

CHECKERBOARD Cookies (Finnish recipe often called “small tiger cakes”)

*Note these are made using the decilitre measuring cup, a standard measuring cup in Finland.

Ingredients

4 ½ dl plain flour 1 dl white sugar 200g margarine Flavours: 1-2tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp vanilla sugar

Directions

Sift the flour into a large bowl, then pour in the sugar and add the margarine. Using your hands rub the margarine into the flour and sugar until the dough comes together. Now separate the dough into 2 even portions. In one of the halves add the vanilla sugar until combined. In the other half add as much of the cocoa powder as you desire (the more you add the more chocolatey/intense it will become), ensure it is combined thoroughly. Now using one of the doughs, half the batch and roll it out into a log. Do the same with the other half. Then move onto the other flavoured batch, half it, roll it out twice. Now you can layer the two rolls so there is a chocolate one and vanilla, then on the top of the chocolate a vanilla, and vice versa.  At this stage I like to wrap up the logs into some cling wrap and place in the freezer on a baking tray for up to 15 minutes. Remove from the freezer and using a sharp knife cut 5mm thick coins out of the logs. Shape each piece back into a square and place on a pre-lined baking tray. Cook in a moderate (180⁰C) oven for about 10+ minutes depending on how much colour you like in the cookie.

I did alter this recipe for my Finnish Independence Day cookie, I decided to still use the vanilla flavouring, but instead of using cocoa I used some all-spice and extra cinnamon. I also divided the cookie batch into thirds so the final amount I added colourful sprinkles. Now you might wonder, what has any of these flavours got to do with Finnish Independence?

Let me explain. I didn’t want to dye half the batch blue, I felt this was too simple. I wanted to try replicating a flavour I really enjoy – Vanilla Chai Latte! I think it worked wonderfully! Additionally, by having a ‘vanilla’ flavour and portion I thought this could replicate the snow the white of the country Finland. Then the specs from the cinnamon and all-spice would replicate the ever-growing drought in Australia. Finally, the funfetti is to celebrate the Finnish Independence Day! All in all, I think it is a good replication of myself as well, part Australian, part Finnish.

I hope you all enjoyed this recipe and feel free to use this recipe for your own creations, with other flavours.

Just an extra note, try not to over knead and work the dough when adding the flavours. It won’t taste good!

Okie see you again soon!

❤ Lenita.