Although August and Clara Sandburg grew up in Sweden, the Christmas celebrations they experienced may have been very limited. They lived in rural areas and the times were lean. They came to America for a better life, but there could be lean years here as well.

As the Sandburg children were born, their parents tried to make Christmas a special time. In prosperous years each child received an orange, a bag of candy and a useful article such as a pair of gloves. In lean years each child received only an orange. In the nineteenth century an orange was a very special treat as they were shipped by rail from the southern states.

Food is an integral part of the Christmas season for the Swedish people. Mrs. Sandburg more than likely prepared a large meal on Christmas Eve. It might have included fish, sausage and potatoes. Dessert may have been rice pudding with one almond in it. The person who received the almond would be married or have good luck during the coming year. Afterward the family would have gone to church to celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

Mrs. Sandburg may have baked a variety of cookies for Christmas—gingersnaps, spritz or sandtarts. She also may have made a candy called knäck. The word means to break or crack. It is made of equal portions of cream, golden syrup and sugar. A little butter and ground almonds can be added to the mixture. Depending on the length of the cooking time, it will develop into caramel or toffee. The custom is to pour the hot liquid into waxed candy papers.

Here is an old recipe for Knäck:

1 cup sugar
1  cup dark corn syrup
¼ cup butter
1 cup light cream
1 cup chopped blanched almonds

Combine, sugar, syrup and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a firm ball when a small amount is dropped into cold water or about 250 degrees F. on a candy thermometer. Stir in the nuts and pour into small fluted waxed paper candy cups or onto a well buttered baking sheet. If poured on a baking sheet, allow to set before cutting into small squares  with scissors whose blades have been rubbed with vegetable oil. Wrap in small squares of waxed paper. Makes about 60 candies.

Happy Christmas to all!