Simple Honey Cookies

Traditional Swedish Kolasnittar cookies deliver an irresistible texture contrast with their crispy edges and chewy centers. Each bite reveals rich caramel undertones that develop naturally from honey or golden syrup during baking. These elegant cookies feature a distinctive diagonal cut that makes them perfect for coffee dipping while requiring minimal ingredients and preparation time. Their sophisticated flavor belies their simplicity, making them ideal for both everyday treats and special occasions when something sweet yet not overly indulgent is desired.

I discovered these cookies during a winter visit to Stockholm at a charming neighborhood café. The owner shared her family recipe after seeing how much I enjoyed them with my afternoon coffee. Back home, these cookies quickly became my signature offering for impromptu gatherings. Their simplicity and reliable results make them perfect when I need something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Cookie Components

• Room temperature butter: Provides the foundation for proper creaming and texture development
• White sugar: Dissolves completely during creaming for the ideal crisp exterior
• All purpose flour: Delivers just enough structure while maintaining tenderness
• Vanilla extract or powder: Enhances the caramel notes without overwhelming them
• Baking powder: Creates subtle lift without excessive spreading
• Honey: Introduces floral sweetness and ensures a properly chewy center
• Golden syrup: Can substitute for honey when a more pronounced toffee flavor is desired

Baking Process

Heat Your Oven:

Preheat your oven to exactly 180°C to ensure proper temperature when the cookies go in. Line a baking tray with good quality non stick parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal. Proper preheating ensures even baking and consistent results throughout the batch.

Prepare Your Dough:

In a mixing bowl, cream together room temperature butter and sugar until the mixture becomes notably lighter in both color and texture. This crucial step incorporates air that helps create the proper cookie structure. Add the remaining ingredients including flour, vanilla, baking powder, and your choice of honey or golden syrup. Mix just until everything combines into a smooth, uniform dough without overworking.

Form Cookie Logs:

Divide your prepared dough into three equal portions for consistent sizing. Roll each portion with your palms into a long, uniform log approximately one inch in diameter. Place these logs onto your prepared baking sheet with sufficient space between them to allow for spreading during baking. Using your fingers, gently press down on each log to slightly flatten the top, creating the classic Kolasnittar shape.

Bake To Perfection:

Place your prepared cookie logs into the preheated oven, positioning the tray in the center for even heat distribution. Bake until the edges develop a beautiful golden color while the centers remain slightly paler. This color contrast indicates perfect texture development with the crisp edges and chewy centers that define these cookies. Monitor closely during final minutes as the high sugar content can cause rapid browning.

Slice While Warm:

Remove the baked logs from the oven and immediately begin slicing them diagonally while still warm and pliable. Use a sharp knife and decisive cuts to create clean edges. Angle your knife to create the traditional diagonal slices approximately half an inch wide. This immediate cutting is essential as the cookies will crisp quickly upon cooling, making clean slicing impossible later.

Cool Completely:

Allow your freshly sliced cookies to cool directly on the baking sheet. During this cooling period, they will continue to firm up and develop their characteristic texture contrast between crisp exteriors and chewy centers. Resist sampling until fully cooled for the optimal texture experience.

Pin it

The first time I made these cookies, I waited too long to slice them and ended up with a crumbly mess. Now I position myself right by the oven with a sharp knife ready the moment they come out. My grandmother initially dismissed these as too simple to bother with but became their biggest champion after tasting them. She now makes them regularly for her bridge club, where they consistently receive compliments for their sophisticated flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These caramel toned cookies make perfect companions to strong coffee, with the bitterness highlighting the sweet toffee notes in the cookie. For afternoon gatherings, serve alongside a pot of Earl Grey tea where the bergamot creates an unexpected but delightful flavor pairing. During holiday seasons, arrange these cookies on a tiered stand interspersed with fresh berries for a visually appealing dessert table. Consider offering them as the sweet component on a cheese board alongside aged cheeses like gouda or cheddar, where the sweet and savory contrast creates a sophisticated offering suitable for wine pairings.

Recipe Variations

Enhance the traditional recipe by adding finely chopped toasted almonds to the dough before shaping for textural contrast and nutty depth. This addition pairs particularly well with the honey version. Consider incorporating warm spices like cardamom or cinnamon for a seasonal adaptation perfect for winter holidays. The delicate flavor profile of these cookies accepts gentle modifications without losing their essential character. For special occasions, dip one end of each cooled cookie into melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an elegant presentation that balances sweet, bitter, and salty notes.

Freshness Preservation

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will maintain their quality for up to two weeks. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking or breakage. These cookies actually improve slightly after a day of storage as the flavors meld and develop. For longer term storage, freeze undecorated cookies in airtight containers with parchment between layers for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature for approximately one hour before serving to restore their original texture profile.

Pin it

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do I need to cut the cookies while they're still warm?

Cutting while warm ensures clean edges before the cookies harden and become brittle, which would cause them to crumble if cut later.

→ Can I add other flavors to these cookies?

Yes, try adding lemon zest, cinnamon, cardamom, or almond extract for different flavor variations.

→ How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

→ What's the difference between using honey and golden syrup?

Honey gives a floral sweetness, while golden syrup provides a deeper, caramel-like toffee flavor to the cookies.

→ Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?

Your butter might have been too warm. Chill the shaped dough for 15 minutes before baking if your kitchen is very warm.