Just about like my Norwegian grandmother's Fattigmann's, but needs 1 tablespoon brandy.

My Great Grandmother who came over from Norway, taught me and my mother how to make these cookies. In addition to the other tips, we dusted the cookies with powdered sugar when we were done.

I love this recipe, I have my great grandmother's hand written copy, which is written in backing spoons, flour enough, and "spitting temperature of the lard" This is the closest I've come to a modern version, only she used nutmeg as she didn't like cardomand

Hi, I see I am a tad late, in replying here, but never the less, I too was taught by my Grandmother, and she came here from Norway and we too keep the tradition going strong. We have A BAkkelfest every year in December, and the whole family gathers in my Grandparents old home in which my parents now own, and we have a great time!!

This recipe is good, but as another reviewer suggested, the Fattigmand should be cut in a diamond shape with a wheel on a handle. My mother had a special wheel for this. Also if you add a tablespoon of whisky or other alcohol, they will not absorb the oil as they cook. My mother always used vegetable oil and never lard. My mother's recipe used more eggs and the amount it made was dependent on the number of eggs used. The reason that they are called Fattigmand Bakkles (poor man's cookies) is that they contain ingredients that everyone could afford.

The recipe needs 2 emandations. First, the cookies are eased into a pot of melted lard for deep fat cooking. Do NOT splash, you will hurt! Cook untill the cookie returns to the surface and turn over to finish cooking. The cookie should not be brown! Second, a pastry wheel will cut the cookies and allow you to create a diagonal line across the middle and flip one end of the cookie through the hole to create a cookie which looks like a belt buckle and the shape will provide a hole to hook with a fork when you lift it out of the lard. Swallow to dry your mouth and blow the excess lard off the cookie before placing it on a flat piece of a brown paper bag to finish draining and to cool. The cardamum will taste better if you store the cookies in a paper lined sealed container for at least a week. The cookies will maintain their texture there also.

my grandmother taught me how to make this cookie 3 years ago, before her passing. her grandmother taught her how to make it. Our family came to america over 100 years ago, and have made the cookie at christmas time ever since their arrival. This cookie is truly special to my entire extended family. I am carrying on the tradition now. happy baking!