In the shadow of the Great Depression, when the world outside was filled with uncertainty and hardship, my twin brother and I found joy in the simple things. Living in a dusty tent on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, we shared laughter and dreams, tethered together by our bond and the light of our very special Christmas traditions.
As the US climbed out of economic despair, our family struggled to make ends meet. The fields became our playground and our place of work, where we spent sun-drenched days helping our parents toil the earth. But when the holidays approached, the spirit of Christmas warmed our hearts, bringing hope amid so much darkness.
One year, the biting rainy cold of December settled in, and the surrounding landscape transformed into a wet wintry day, rain drenched and bleary skies surrounded us. My mother, with her kind smile and gentle hands, gathered us close in the evening and talked about the magic of Christmas and the loving Savior born to Mary. We anticipated the one gift for each of us each year—a treasure from the heart rather than a store. We would be thrilled with the homemade shirt or pants my mother would make for us. She was an expert seamstress.
As Christmas Eve approached, I could hardly contain my excitement. The scent of pine filled the small rented house we finally had moved into in Portland, Oregon, and my mother worked tirelessly in the kitchen. One of our favorite traditions was her special Norwegian Fattigmann cookies. Every year, we looked forward to those delicate, fried treats dusted with powdered sugar, a treasure that felt like luxury in our circumstances.
With one heart and two eager pairs of hands, my brother and I helped our mother prepare the cookies. Standing on tiptoes to reach the table, we carefully measured flour and sugar, halfheartedly arguing about who should pour the heavy cream. Every time the mixer whirred to life, we laughed, feeling an anticipation of electricity in the air. Soon the dough came together under our willing yet clumsy fingers.
As the cookies chilled, we huddled near the wood stove, the warmth wrapping around us like a blanket. Our mother rolled out the dough and expertly shaped the Fattigmann into their traditional diamond forms, always tying knots with a flourish that captivated our young minds. As the oil heated, I could hardly wait; the rich, buttery scent from the frying cookies enveloped the kitchen.
At last, the moment of truth arrived. One by one, the golden-brown Fattigmann cookies emerged from the bubbling oil, crackling as they hit the oil on the counter. We carefully placed each one on the waiting towels to dry, all the while sneaking tastes when we thought our mother wasn’t looking.
On Christmas morning, the air crackled with excitement as my brother and I bounded out of our bedroom, our hearts racing in anticipation. We rushed to the tiny, scruffy tree adorned with handpicked treasures and makeshift ornaments. Peeking beneath the branches, we discovered our gift: a woolen shirt for each of us sewed by my mother from Pendleton Woolen Mills cloth.
But the real treasure awaited us in the kitchen—a plate of freshly dusted Fattigmann cookies gleamed like glistening snowflakes against the dark, rustic table. We poured ourselves hot chocolate, the rich, steaming liquid swirling into our cups as we set the table.
As we savored each bite of the crisp cookie, the powdered sugar melting on our tongues, we laughed and reminisced about our days in the fields and the joy of simply being together. We were reminded that even in hardship, love, laughter, and tradition helped us find warmth and hope.
That Christmas became a cherished memory, forever imprinted in our hearts—of sharing sweet treats, hot chocolate, and hugs that filled the house with laughter. Even as we grew older and faced life’s challenges, every time we tasted Fattigmann, we were transported back to that special day, reminding us that true treasures lie not in the material gifts but in the love and bonds we create together.
Fattigmann Cookies (Pronounced – futymun – translates to “poor man”)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon aquavit
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 1/ 4 teaspoon salt
- Oil for deep frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, ground cardamom, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg yolks, and aquavit (if using).
Step 3: Make Dough – Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms. You may need to knead it lightly with your hands.
Step 4: Chill Dough – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This will make it easier to roll out.
Step 5: Roll Out Dough – On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
Step 6: Cut Shapes – Using a diamond-shaped or other cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the dough. You can use a small knife or bench scraper to create an opening in the center of each shape (traditionally, Fattigmann is tied into a knot).
Step 7: Heat Oil – In a deep fryer or large pot, heat oil to about 350°F (180°C).
Step 8: Fry Cookies – Carefully drop the cut cookies into the hot oil, frying them until they are golden brown (about 1-2 minutes per side). Fry in batches to avoid crowding.
Step 9: Drain – Once fried, remove the cookies and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 10: Dust with Powdered Sugar – Once they have cooled slightly, dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
Step 11: Serve – Enjoy your Fattigmann with hot chocolate or tea!
Wallace Minder is a retired educator that served in the Adventist system for 46 years, as an elementary teacher, school administrator, Conference Education Superintendent, and Dean of the La Sierra University School of Education. He’s been a member of the La Sierra University Church for just over 60 years.