Laufabrauð

Laufabrauð
	Before and after frying. ; A design based on the typical "V"-like flaps, ; although here the flaps do not overlap.
Type	Flatbread
Place of origin	Iceland

Laufabrauð (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈlœyːvaˌprœyːθ], "leaf bread"; sometimes also called "snowflake bread" in English)^[1] is a traditional kind of Icelandic bread that is almost exclusively eaten in the Christmas season.^[2] Originating from northern Iceland but now eaten throughout the country,^[2] it consists of round, very thin flat cakes with a diameter of about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches), decorated with leaf-like, geometric patterns and fried briefly in hot tallow or oil.^[3]

Child decorating *laufabrauð* before frying

Laufabrauð can be bought in bakeries or made at home, either with ready-made dough or from scratch;^[2] patterns are either cut by hand or created using a heavy brass roller, the laufabrauðsjárn ([ˈlœyːvaˌprœyðsˌjau(r)tn̥], "leaf bread iron").^[3] The most common pattern consists of rows of "V"-like flaps; each flap overlaps with the next one to form a braid-like design. The rows can then form a larger pattern, such as a snowflake or a letter.

Leaf bread making at home is usually a family undertaking and often an essential part of the Christmas preparations, where several generations gather and take part in the decorating.^[4]

References edit

^ Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir (2004). Cool Cuisine. Vaka-Helgafell. p. 96. ISBN 9979-2-1767-7. OCLC 253801447.
^ ^a ^b ^c Salvör Gissurardóttir (2000). "Laufabrauð - "Leaf Bread"". Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
^ ^a ^b Hanneck, Maike (2004). Island-Kochbuch (in German). túrí. pp. 30–31. ISBN 9979-9641-0-3. OCLC 76585143.
^ Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir. "Leaf Bread for Christmas". Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2009-11-29.