
Really. I know nothing about St. Lucia day, other than it’s a holiday tradition in Sweden where special pastry buns are consumed and when young ladies wear green garland crowns on their heads that have candles in them. Which sounds like quite a fire hazard. But I understand there are battery operated candles now? But what about back in the day? You were walking around with flames on your head? AWESOME!
Apartment Therapy has kindly already done a post telling us more about St. Lucia Day.
But as I like to shout every so often, I have a strong, secret, Inner Scandinavian Person living within me. I love everything Scandi. Especially MOOMINS. And Astrid Lindgren. And TOMTES.
So I was thrilled as punch when I saw that darling darling Heather from Audrey Eclectic was hosting a blog party of sorts, celebrating St. Lucia Day! You must hop on over as soon as you’re done here, to see her post and what the other participating blogs have planned. I wanted to have some Scandi fun too, so I thought now was the perfect time to discuss ‘The Great Scandinavian Baking Book’ by Beatrice Ojakangas, and show you all the most divine Scandinavian treat!



I chose a Norwegian recipe, called Tosca Squares.
Imagine a lemon bar. Now take away the lemon and add almond filling instead, with an almond/butter/sugar glaze on top.
My first words upon trying one, after they were done:
"OMG."
Andrew wanted to know how many he could eat at one go, without getting into trouble.








OH FRIENDS!! It was better than I hoped it would be. It’s MARVELOUS. You must try it. It’s better than awesome. I don’t even have a word for what that could be.
NORWEGIAN TOSCA SQUARES
Makes 16 squares
Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter (5 1/2 tablespoons), room temp
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg yolk
1 cup all purpose flour
Filling:
2/3 cup blanched almonds (I just used about a 1/2 cup almond meal ready prepared)
5 tablespoons soft butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 whole egg
1 egg white
Icing:
1/4 cup butter (4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped or slivered almonds
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 tablespoon milk or cream
Directions:
Lightly butter a 9" inch square baking pan or a 7" 1/2 x 11 inch pan. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter with the sugar until smooth. Blend in the egg yolk and flour until dough forms. (Mine stayed crumbly, and I just gathered it together and smooshed into a cohesive dough ball) Press into the baking pan evenly and build up the edges about 1/2 inch. Bake 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, pulverize the almonds in the food processor (or just use almond meal like I did) or in a food chopper. Blend almonds with the butter and sugar. Beat the egg and egg white until fluffy (I just did it for about 4 minutes) and fold into the butter and almond mixture. Pour into the partially baked crust.
Bake 10-15 minutes until the filling is set. (I did 15 min.)
To make the topping, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the sugar, almonds, flour, and milk. Heat, stirring until thickened. Simmer 3-4 minutes, then remove from heat. Spread mixture over the baked cake. Cool and cut into squares.
~ from 'The Great Scandinavian Baking Book'
SO GOOD, you guys! This needs to be in your holiday lineup of treats. I've never had a treat like this before and I have so many other recipes from this book earmarked to make this holiday season. I think I'm going to have to exercise A LOT in the coming weeks.....
Haha! Melissa you always make me laugh! High five to another with a secret inner-Scandinavian (although it's not so secret any more, is it? We've totally just 'come out')
ReplyDeleteThese bars sound So. Good. I made something similar (kringlers) and yes, I wanted to eat it all in one sitting. I now know how amazing almond filling is.
I'm so glad you joined in the procession! Happy St. Lucia Day!~
We're totally out!! Hurray for Scandinavia! Almond filling. Oh my goodness. It should be in EVERYTHING!
DeleteSo happy I got to participate in this experience with you!!
Oh, dear. I may need to try making this. But not today. I only have one stick of butter left anyway. I love gooey, sticky desserts!
ReplyDeleteYes, note to self: if making scandinavian desserts, get the big box of butter!! ;)
DeleteButter, butter and MORE BUTTER. So delicious.
DeleteThese look delicious. I always love reading your blog. You've introduced me to so many cool things!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda!!! I feel like there are so many wonderful things out in the world,books and treats wise, and I love love to share b/c I'm an oversharer :)
Deleteyummy!*** God Jul ***
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy Scandi Holiday Fun Day to you too!!!! ;)
DeleteSweet Saint Lucia on a bicycle, that looks delicious! I was introduced to cardamom through Indian cuisine, and I've been having a love affair with it lately, mostly in my coffee and tea. Mmmm. Maybe my Swedish heritage has genetically programmed me to love it? I WILL be making this for Christmas! Thanks! Glad to find your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly, I'm so happy to be found! I love your name. Julia was almost a Holly, it was my grandma's name!
DeleteI've heard that grinding your own cardamom is the way to go, but I haven't tried that, have you?
I'll be making this again for Christmas, we all loved it so much!
so... Is this what you're bringing to Christmas Eve??
ReplyDeleteOh I think that can be arranged G-ma!!!! ;) xoxo
DeleteWell, I feel like I should learn more about this since I have a little Lucia--maybe next year we will celebrate it proper like! I fear, it's too late for this year....
ReplyDeleteyes yes, Lucia needs to celebrate on her own special Name Day!
Deleteshortbread is my favorite! plus custard on shortbread is angel food. i tell you. i speak truthz.
ReplyDeletemake this for me and send it to me.
I know! You = Truthz-teller.
DeleteBaby, I will send you lots and lots of MY LOVE. That's almost as good, yes?
Yay! I have almond meal! The first step on the road to Tosca Squares. Never heard of them but they look artery cloggingly magnificent. Christmas here I come!
ReplyDeleteThey are so very Christmasy! I'm so excited that you're all ready to go with the almond meal :)
DeleteI have this book too! And I love anything with almond meal. Our hippie store sells it in big ol' bags, which is awesome. Haven't tried this recipe yet; it's going on the list.
ReplyDeleteOf course you have this book! So awesome! Also, hippie stores are THE BEST. I know this b/c I'm from Maui, which has the bestest hippie stores in the whole wide world. Closely followed by the Pacific NW, which is where I live now :)
DeleteCentral Kansas isn't really a hippie-store mecca, but we've gotten several just in the past few years that we've lived here. I'm looking forward to moving somewhere with really excellent food shopping when the husband finishes his current contract. Of course, that's probably going to be 2014.
DeleteWell, this looks INCREDIBLE!!!
ReplyDeleteIncredible is an excellent word for what these were, Rebecca! :)
DeleteDearie, I know this post is old but I would love to hear your thoughts on this book, it's been on my wish list forever. Those bars look so good I'm about to drool over my keyboard (not a pretty sight, let me tell you that). ;)
ReplyDeletexx
I LOVE this book Patricia!!!! I had almost every page bookmarked. It's really lovely. I have to go find it, and I'm not sure where I put it and I'm freaking OUT because I need to find it asap!
DeleteThank you for taking the time to reply, dearie! <3
ReplyDeleteI think I'll purchase it as a Xmas gift - for myself. ;)
xx