It is fair to say Christmas is right around the corner. In fact, it’s this week. It’s hard to believe it. And, truth be told, I haven’t thought a whole lot about it apart from my internal debate about whether to add a third stocking to the mantel. The optimistic side of me wants to do this, but my overwhelmingly practical side urges me to wait. Babies tend to come on their own time. At least, this is the daily sentiment echoed by all the sane people around me.
We are staying in Seattle this year, of course. It’s hard to plan a holiday with our out-of-state families when a Christmas baby is on the menu. I’m certainly not sad about it. We’ve traveled a lot this year and this buckling down time is pure bliss. I think I really tapped into my nesting instinct at about week 38 and now it’s now kicked into full gear for both of us. We putter about the house. K builds things. I do little chores and even managed to finish my first baby quilt.
Today is my due date, however, and I admit I am finding it a bit difficult to take my eye off the prize. This is where I’m utterly thankful for all of you and this blog. What salvation. What a wonderful distraction. Thank you for this.
This week, I baked some extra sweet Christmas cookies for all of us. I can barely fit half a cookie into my large belly, but this doesn’t stop me from trying. Besides K insisted the time was ripe for baking Christmas cookies. And I agreed. Wholeheartedly.
However, when I went to my stash of baking books and began to flip through the pages, he scoffed. There was only one type of Christmas cookie on his mind and that was his mother’s Norwegian Christmas Butter Squares.
I was rather surprised by this revelation. K’s mother is neither a cook nor baker and will fully admit she detests her time in the kitchen. Never during our entire relationship has K suggested I whip up one of her recipes. This was certainly news to me. And, upon reflection, I suppose that is why the suggestion on this occasion was so very convincing.
So I acquiesced. These cookies must be revelatory.
And they are wonderful. Norwegian Butter Squares are fantastically simple. There are so few ingredients yet the cookies are buttery, rich, and delicious. Plus, they bake in no time at all. You can whip them up to go with your afternoon tea or take them to your next holiday party. Leave them out for Santa. He won’t be disappointed. Or, even better, use them as a blissful distraction during the 11th hour of pregnancy. It works. Believe me.
Norwegian Christmas Butter Squares
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
Turbinado/ Raw Sugar for dusting
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Chill a baking sheet in the freezer. Do not grease the baking sheet.
Using a hand mixer, blend the butter, egg, sugar, and salt together until it is creamy. Add the flour and vanilla and mix using your hands until the mixture holds together in large clumps.
Using your hands, press the dough out onto the chilled and ungreased baking sheet until it is even and 1/4 inch thick. Dust the top of the cookies evenly with raw sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees until the edges turn a golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let cool for about five minutes before cutting the cooked dough into squares. Remove the squares from the warm pan using a spatula.
Enjoy.
If I don’t see you for a bit, don’t be alarmed. It means good things and, possibly, babies are brewing over in these parts.
57 Comments
Robin, I’ve loved reading about your recipes and your pregnancy. Best of luck now in the home stretch. My baby was 5 days late (or should I say, past his due date – he was right on time as far as he’s concerned!) so I know how hard the waiting can be. REST UP! You’ll need it.
What a beautiful quilt! The cookies look delish! I’m sending you lots of good “Christmas Baby” thoughts! Merry Christmas xoxo
A perfectly sweet post.
Your quilt is beautiful! I just made my very first quilt this summer for my baby girl. I love the art that you displayed above the crib. I am still collecting art in the hopes of creating an art wall for my youngest daughter’s room. I recently discovered your blog, and it is amazing! I am going to try your raisin bread recipe sometime this week! I hope your little one arrives soon. I know how difficult the last weeks of pregnancy can be, but it is so worth it:)
love the quilt
can nearly taste the cookies
am rooting, two fists pumping in the air, for this sweet babe to arrive in the world. oh, what a lovely holiday this shall be….
Robin!
Good luck to you in the last few moments of waiting for your sweet girl. My favorite advice that took me through the births of my two kiddos was from Anastasia–this is the one time in your life where pain is incredibly productive. If you can change the frame, you will welcome the pain and let your body to the work.
Lots of love to you!
Kristy
(And naturally, I LOVE your blog!!)
Robin,
I was so happy to see your delicious recipe and the visit to my little spot, as I then knew Miss Bun had not arrived yet and I could wish you and K the best. The best holiday, and the best new baby days! Yes they (new babies that is) do come on their own schedule, it is the last time they have final say for the next 18 years don’t you know! Take care, have fun, enjoy. Love the quilt, great job Mom.
Melynda
Anything with the word ‘butter’ actually in the recipe name is destined to be a winner. I love the simplicity of these cookies, as well as that of your baby’s room decor and the sweet quilt. Glad you have time and the peace of mind to bake on this, the night of your due date!
Cheers and merry merry,
*Heather*
i cannot wait for your baby to come!! *joyful moments*
Hang in there!
Those look so delicious! I’ll have to try the recipe…
Looking forward to seeing your baby!
Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
Rosa
These buttery cookies looks absolutely yummy!
Have a safe delivery and Merry Christmas!
These look delicious. I was just thinking of something that would go well with tea.
I was thinking about you this weekend and was convinced you were enjoying new motherhood bliss…but obviously at this point you will be doing it very soon!! What a lovely crib area. You made a beautiful quilt.
Merry Christmas to you!
Those look delicious! My husband and I did some holiday baking yesterday but we used one of my family’s recipes: chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. We mixed things up and used dark chocolate and almond too, not a super inventive idea but one that I had never used before. Delicious!
Good luck with your Christmas baby! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
I check this blog everyday hoping for baby news! And tomorrow I am flying out of town and not getting back to a computer until next Monday. Here’s hoping that your little girl makes her debut before then!
I love shortbread-style cookies. They are easily able to pretend they are breakfast.
Good luck this week: the quilt is gorgeous, the nursery is sunny and sweet (What a grand room to hold your precious little lamb!
Can’t wait for the news!
Dreamy! Just dreamy. I am going to make K’s family’s butter squares. I love delicious, simple things. There is something very witchy about them (smile).
Oh, and I’ve still got my fingers crosses for you guys this week…
Ooh, lovely butter cookies! The quilt is so, so adorable. You are a woman of many talents. I can’t wait for precious little baby photos!
Yum. My favourite..simple butter cookies. My Mother-in-Law makes something similar, although it is Dutch, boterkoek or butter cake. It is very much the same as these, a buttery, delicious cookie and she also hates her time in the kitchen…:)
I’m thinking of you often as you go into this eleventh hour. As this was me what six short months ago…and I couldn’t imagine doing it during the holidays. So good on you! What a fantastic gift for the holidays you are soon to receive! Happy holidays!
Yay, you guys must be so excited! I love, love your quilt and the peek at her little room, so sweet! I wish you guys a very Merry Christmas, these cookies sound really buttery and delicious.
A quilt! I wish I knew how to make one. I’m excited for you – baby is right around the corner!
Aw I’m so excited for you! This sounds like an amazing Christmas week for you. Your delivery and baby will be in my prayers!
Also thank you for the recipe, it looks delicious.
I can’t believe you are ALMOST there! I’m so excited for you Robin! And I adore that quilt. I started several baby sweaters before each of my boys were born and I never finished them. Good for you!
The look yummy. Sounds like K is nesting too! Merry Christmas to you both!!
Robin- I’m so excited for you and K! It adds a whole new layer of Christmas anticipation. Have a delightful, exciting, and lovely Christmas/Baby Eve. Can’t wait for photos!
I want absolutely try this recipe this evening!Thank you:) I’m waiting to hear about your baby!Greetings from Italy Bene xxx
Oooh these cookies look like the perfect distraction and wow!…what a quilt! impressive!
Thank you very much for visiting my blog, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. In Spain made a similar cake called cake Cristinas, whose main ingredient is almonds
Ohh Robin the quilt looks awesome. It will be an amazing Christmas for you this year. God Jul as we say it in Swedish and those Norwegian Cookies look awesome, i had no idea K was from there, does he speak Norweigan? I might just have to try to make those cookies. Again Good luck and God Jul!
Oh Robin, the quilt! The nursery! It’s all so exciting.
These look super, a bit like shortbread in square form. Come out baby, there are squares to be eaten! Well, vicariously through milk, that is
You are so incredibly artistic; the quilt and nursery are both beautiful. I especially love the buttery yellow walls. And tell your husband, “genius call on the butter squares.”
Hope the little bun gets here soon, because we’re all waiting with you!! xo
[K]
The cookies look lovely! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a speedy and safe arrival of your bundle of joy. The nursery looks adorable!
My baby was due December 25th and she came January 11th. Hope yours is sooner than later! Keep walking!
Sarah, That was a late baby. I might go crazy if this one pulls something similar!
Those buttery squares look perfect! Let’s hope you get that baby shaking soon. Merry Christmas.
I always enjoy reading your blog. Thinking of you and the baby
These cookies look quite comforting, buttery and delicate. I hope your baby comes soon. There would be nothing nicer than having the baby in your arms for the holiday.
Your quilt is beautiful and the baby’s room looks darling. Very sunny and happy. I read this a few days ago and meant to leave a note, but I’m here now, actually writing down things I need for the recipe so I can go shopping. All of my Christmas desserts are being pulled from my favorite blogs this year. I’m excited to make these. Best wishes to you and your (soon to be added to) family this year! xo
Oh my goodness were in the same boat! My son was due on the 20th and today is the 23rd! I feel like he is never coming out. I have a 16 month old daughter already who won’t quit tearing at her presents. I say go ahead and put up a stocking for you’re baby gal. Even though he isn’t out yet we have a few Christmas presents under the tree for him
well I wish us BOTH luck! Hopefully these little bundles of joy will make there debut soon!
Aw, Marie. We are on the same schedule. I wonder if it would be so nerve wracking if it wasn’t xmas? It probably would. I’m sending you lots of strength in the home stretch. Sooner rather than later. Come one, little buns! xo
I found this post after searching Food Gawker with the keyword “Norwegian” to find a Scandinavian yummy to add to our Christmas dinner spread. What good looking cookies!
What an especially exciting time for you! We just had our first child in April (another holiday baby, ON Easter!) and parenting is a. Mazing. Enjoy these last reflective, longing moments.
And at least you don’t have to travel on a donkey to Bethlehem!
(Though I’m sure you’ve heard that a million times this month!)
Thanks, Tara! I bet your little holiday baby is such fun now! I can wait to be a parent, but I will admit I’m feeling ginormous and a tad frustrated right now…..Here comes Christmas! xo
These look absolutely delightful! I still can’t get over that you’re on your feet, baking, AND blogging so far into your pregnancy
. That quilt is just darling, too. You’re going to be an amazing mom, Robin.
Love the nursery and the quilt. So beautiful.
Robin, made these today to take over to a midwife’s house tonight for some holiday cheer! Between my doula vibes and her midwife vibes, we are sending you sweet birth wishes! Thanks for the recipe and happy birthing day!
Enjoy them, Sharon. And, thank you so much for the doula and midwife vibes. I’m bouncing around right now and doing tons of squats. Come on, little girl!
Happy Holidays! xo
Thank you so much for this recipe! We made them to leave for Santa tonight and it was so quick, easy and delicious! Just what this preggo mama needed! Merry Christmas!!!
I love your spirit… a day away and baking, just something I would do too! What a gorgeous quilt, and what simple, delicious cookies. Merry Christmas…and a great 2011!
The quilt is awesome!!! I loved it!!!! Awwww the baby will be so cozy in there!! .. and with those little treats!! what can I say!!! hahahahaha Happy Holidays!
What a lovely quilt and nursery…not to mention the yummy cookies! I loved that I gave birth during the holidays…now they are all the more special, I am sure you find that to be true as well…enjoy it to the fullest!
All the best to you!!!
Oh my goodness these are good. I made them and went to church Christmas Eve. While I was gone my grown daughters and their families came in. The plate was almost empty when I arrived back home! I had to make another batch the day after Christmas! This will become a Christmas tradition in our family! Thank you so much for sharing!
Bless you and your new little one!
Becky, Thanks for your message. So delighted you enjoyed the cookies! xoxo
Are the squares supposed to be crispy or soft? I made a batch just now and I’m not quite sure if they’re done. The tops are crispy and the undersides are soft, except in one corner where the dough was thinner and those squares are crisp throughout. I don’t want to eat half the pan trying to figure out if they’re cooked!
They are delicious; I just don’t want to be serving people raw egg.
Hi there DDog,
The squares are soft when they come out of the oven. They firm as they cool, but remain moist (not crispy). Enjoy! I’m pretty sure your eggs aren’t raw
Xo
Robin
I’m not sure how you managed to eat these things with an entire cup of sugar in them, plus sugar sprinkled on top. I used only a 1/2 cup of sugar, and they were plenty sweet.
I also couldn’t get enough batter to fill a baking sheet, so I had to use two small baking pans instead.
Lastly, I find that adding a drop of almond extract really adds to the flavor. Otherwise, they pretty much taste like their name: butter and sugar.
These are delicious. I’m curious as to what size your baking sheet is though. Mine is an 11×16 and I was left with about an inch & half wide strip that was bare. I simply couldn’t get the dough to fill the entire sheet!
I found this via foodgawker. Belated congrats on the baby.
Hi N,
Thanks so much for your comment. I will let my mother in law know you like the cookies! And, yes, you are correct. The inch and a half strip sounds just about right. That happened to me as well. I think I forget to mention that. I blame it on my late pregnancy foggy brain. Happy Holidays! xo Robin
Norwegian Sugar Cookies. http://t.co/OR8RLFGc