Icelandic · Desserts

Kleinur

Soft, cardamom-scented Icelandic doughnuts, cut into diamonds, twisted through a slit and deep-fried until golden. Eaten with coffee.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 55 min total Serves 12 servings Medium
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Method

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  1. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom and salt together in a large bowl.

  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter and vanilla in a jug. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir into a soft dough. Knead gently for 1 minute, until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

  3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 5 mm thick. Cut into 24 diamonds or rectangles about 5 x 10 cm. Cut a 3 cm slit down the middle of each and pull one end through the slit to make a twist.

  4. Pour the oil into a heavy pot to a depth of 6 cm and heat it to 175°C. Fry the kleinur 4 at a time for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until deep golden. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

  5. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve with coffee.

Chef’s Tips

  • Use a thermometer and keep the oil at 175°C. If it is cooler the dough soaks up oil, and if it is hotter the outside browns before the middle is cooked.
  • Lower the pieces in gently and never leave hot oil unattended. Fry a few at a time so that the temperature does not drop.
  • Do not roll the dough thinner than 5 mm. Thin pieces turn hard and crisp instead of soft.

Pairing Suggestions

  • A cup of hot coffee
  • Salted butter
  • Fresh berries

Storage & Reheating

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. Warm in a low oven for 5 minutes to refresh.

Common questions

How long does Kleinur take to make?

About 55 minutes in total — 30 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 12.

What are the key tips for making Kleinur?

Use a thermometer and keep the oil at 175°C. If it is cooler the dough soaks up oil, and if it is hotter the outside browns before the middle is cooked. Lower the pieces in gently and never leave hot oil unattended. Fry a few at a time so that the temperature does not drop. Do not roll the dough thinner than 5 mm. Thin pieces turn hard and crisp instead of soft.

What should I serve with Kleinur?

A cup of hot coffee; Salted butter; Fresh berries.

Is Kleinur suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Kleinur?

About 304 kcal per serving, with 6 g protein, 43 g carbohydrate and 12 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

304Calories
6gProtein
43gCarbs
12gFat
1gFibre
11gSugar
170mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.