KRUMKAKE
(pronounced KROOM-ka-ka)
I've been busy in the shop the past few days making more krumkake rollers. If you have no idea what a krumkake roller is, what it's used for or even what krumkake is, keep reading, you've been missing out!
What is it and how do you make it? Krumkake or 'Krum kaka', meaning bent or curved cake, is a Norwegian waffle cookie made of flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and cream. A special decorative two-sided waffle griddle, similar to a typical American waffle iron, is used to make krumkake. The hot waffle is rolled into a cone shape using the krumkake roller. (That's where I come in!) You can fill krumkake with whipped cream and/or fruit, really, whatever your heart desires, or just eat it as is. Either way, krumkake is always a treat! (A typical waffle iron can also be used to make waffle or sugar cones, which are very good filled with ice cream.)
Krumkake making has been a Madsen family tradition for generations. A tradition brought with my mom when she emigrated to the United States almost 50 years ago with my dad. Krumkake are traditionally made during the Christmas season and krumkake making is something our family looks forward to every holiday season. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it!
Krumkake making has been especially fun for the kids, as they head to grandmas for 'krumkake making day' every year. My mom gets everyone together, usually right after Thanksgiving, and with the batter made and the pans ready to go, the rollers start rolling! Krumkake keep really well in an airtight container, so this makes it easier to enjoy them anytime of the year...which we do! The recipe we use is a family recipe, which we include with our krumkake rollers through MadWood Turnery.
An array of MadWood Turnery Krumkake Rollers
I use many different types of wood and while being a functional addition to the kitchen, these krumkake rollers are also very beautiful. As any good krumkake maker knows, having just the right roller, is part of what makes krumkake making special and successful! I use many different types of wood in combination with each other and some alone. The basic design I use, comes from an antique krumkake roller that belongs to a family friend. It came from her Norwegian Grandmothe's estate. I've taken creative liberties with wood combination and handle design. A handle that fits just right in the hand, makes for enjoyable krumkake making!
Here's an example of some of the krumkake rollers I've made, along with a description of the wood used in the rollers pictured below.
Left: Spalted Maple
Center: Maple and Purpleheart
Right: Buckeye
All finished with walnut oil and beeswax
Left: Buckeye, Koa and Purpleheart
Center: Sycamore and Walnut
Right: Buckeye and Walnut
Finished with walnut oil and beeswax
So! That's what I've been up to. Working in the shop, replenishing my supply of krumkake rollers!
See more of my krumkake rollers here:
MadWood Turnery Krumkake Rollers and be sure to check back, I'll be adding the ones I'm working on, in the shop now, very soon!
Included with each purchase of a MadWood Turnery krumkake roller, is the Madsen family Krumkake recipe.
