Lefse

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread that holds a special place in Scandinavian holiday tables. Made from a simple dough of scalded milk, lard, salt, and flour, it yields a soft, pliable bread that is perfect for rolling up with butter and sugar. The key to great lefse is the scalding of the milk, which gelatinizes the starches for a tender crumb, and the use of lard for richness and elasticity. Whether served warm from the griddle or stored for later, this hearty bread brings a comforting, homemade quality to any meal. It pairs beautifully with savory fillings like cheese and salmon or sweet spreads like jam and cloudberry preserves. A festive treat that is surprisingly easy to make with pantry staples.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Courses: Baked Goods

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 6

Calories: 1194.6

Description

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread that holds a special place in Scandinavian holiday tables. Made from a simple dough of scalded milk, lard, salt, and flour, it yields a soft, pliable bread that is perfect for rolling up with butter and sugar. The key to great lefse is the scalding of the milk, which gelatinizes the starches for a tender crumb, and the use of lard for richness and elasticity. Whether served warm from the griddle or stored for later, this hearty bread brings a comforting, homemade quality to any meal. It pairs beautifully with savory fillings like cheese and salmon or sweet spreads like jam and cloudberry preserves. A festive treat that is surprisingly easy to make with pantry staples.

Ingredients

2 cup Milk, scalded
1/2 cup Lard
1 tablespoon Salt
4 cup Flour

Directions

1
In a saucepan, combine scalded milk, lard, salt, and 2 cups of flour.
2
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a smooth dough.
3
Remove the pan from the heat and let the dough cool slightly until manageable.
4
Turn the warm dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
5
Gradually knead in the remaining 2 cups of flour until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
6
Divide the dough into small patties, roughly the size of a hamburger patty.
7
On a lightly floured surface, roll each patty out into a thin, large circle, aiming for a size that fits your griddle or lefse baker.
8
Heat a griddle or lefse baker to medium-high heat.
9
Carefully transfer the rolled dough to the hot surface using a spatula or pointed stick.
10
Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until lightly browned and spots appear.
11
Prick any air bubbles with a fork or skewer, then flip and cook the other side until lightly browned.
12
Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning while ensuring even cooking.
13
Stack cooked lefse and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep soft.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1194.6kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33.6g52%
Saturated Fat 13.0g65%
Cholesterol 2.4mg1%
Sodium 14677.8mg612%
Total Carbohydrate 188.4g63%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g26%
Sugars 6.7g
Protein 28.1g57%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: Lefse dough can be kept in a cool place for a couple of days before rolling. Cooked lefse can be stacked and stored in a plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or frozen for longer storage.

Equipment: Traditional lefse makers use a specific "lefse baker" (a flat cast-iron griddle) and a Scandinavian rolling pin (which is tapered at the ends). If you do not have these, a regular heavy-bottomed griddle or large skillet and a standard rolling pin work well.

Serving Suggestions: Lefse is traditionally served warm with butter and sugar, rolled up like a crepe. It can also be filled with savory ingredients such as cheese, salmon, or ham.

Variation: This recipe yields a soft bread similar to a Swedish tortilla. Adjust the rolling thickness to your preference; thinner lefse cooks faster and is more delicate.

Keywords: american, baking, bread, christmas, flour, lard, lefse, milk, norwegian, salt, scandinavian, flatbread, vegetarian, holiday, traditional, griddle, dough, sweet, butter, sugar

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/lefse/