2/3 c. milk
1 1/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. dark corn syrup or Tate & Lyle's
1/3 c. butter
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. grated orange rind
3/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 c. flour

Boil milk, sugar and syrup. Add melted butter; stir in rest of ingredients. Make dough the night before and chill (important!).

Roll out dough thinly, working with small amounts so as to keep it cool. Cut with heart-shaped cutters. Bake on greased cookie sheet for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool for 1 minute before removing from cookie sheet.

This is a traditional Norwegian cookie recipe from my cousin Aulang in Norway. It's spicy taste is a welcome complement to all the sweets at Christmas time.