True North Kitchen

🇳🇴 A Norwegian Bread Worthy of a Gold Medal 🏅

The Winter Olympics wrapped up yesterday, and once again Norway finished at the top of the medal table. 🇳🇴🥇 It’s always remarkable to watch such a small country compete so fiercely and gracefully on the world stage.

But here’s something you might not know:

Norwegian athletes are famously particular about their bread.

For years, the Norwegian team has brought bakers with them to the Olympic Games to make the hearty whole grain loaves they eat at home. In Norway, bread isn’t just fuel, it’s daily life. It’s comfort. It’s strength.

That tradition inspired this Norwegian Whole Grain Bread (Grovbrød), a nourishing loaf that’s soft and tender yet hearty enough for toast or open-faced sandwiches.

If you’re feeling inspired by Norway’s Olympic success (or just in the mood for a cozy baking project), this is a wonderful loaf to try.

🥖 Get the recipe here: https://true-north-kitchen.com/norwegian-brown-bread-with-oats-and-rye/

Wishing you a cozy week ahead!

Kristi

Happy Shrove Tuesday, friends!

I just shared a new recipe on the blog for Fastelavnsboller (Norwegian Lenten Buns) - soft, tender cardamom sweet buns filled with jam and freshly whipped cream and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re traditionally enjoyed right before Lent begins and are such a cozy Scandinavian treat for late winter.

👉 Get the Fastelavnsboller recipe here: https://true-north-kitchen.com/fastelavnsboller-norwegian-lenten-buns/

If you’ve never made them at home, don’t be intimidated. They’re easier than you might think and absolutely worth it. And if you’re in the mood to explore more Nordic baking, my Semlor (the Swedish version of these cream buns) are on the site as well.

Wishing you a warm, sweet week! 🤍

✨ Tomorrow is St. Lucia Day 🕯️

One of my favorite Scandinavian traditions - a quiet, candlelit celebration of light during the darkest time of year. In Sweden, the day is often marked with lussekatter, soft saffron buns meant to be shared with coffee and good company.

If you’d like to bake a batch at home, you can find my recipe here:

👉 https://true-north-kitchen.com/st-lucia-buns-lussekatter/

Wishing you warmth and light 💛,
Kristi

🇩🇰 Danish Butter Cookies (Vaniljekranse) 🇩🇰
These delicately swirled, elegant Danish Butter Cookies (Vaniljekranse) are as beautiful as they are delicious. Everyone loves the iconic little cookies from the blue tin, but this homemade version takes them to another level, crisp and melt-in-your-mouth tender at the same time. https://true-north-kitchen.com/traditional-danish-butter-cookies-vaniljekranse/

🍂 Soft and Buttery Cardamom Bread (Finnish Pulla)🍂

As August winds down, baking season is just around the corner, and I’ve got the perfect recipe to kick things off: Soft and Buttery Cardamom Bread (Finnish Pulla). It’s a tender, aromatic braided loaf topped with crunchy pearl sugar - made extra soft with a quick tangzhong technique that helps it stay fresher longer.

Here’s to cozy mornings, cooler weather, and loaves that make the whole kitchen smell amazing! https://true-north-kitchen.com/soft-and-buttery-cardamom-bread-finnish-pulla/