Norwegian Lefse

Soft, delicate, and steeped in tradition, Norwegian lefse is a beloved flatbread crafted from creamy mashed russet potatoes, butter, and flour, rolled thin and cooked until lightly spotted with golden brown perfection. This classic Scandinavian recipe combines simple ingredients like heavy cream and a touch of sugar for a subtly sweet flavor, while a quick griddle cook gives these tender rounds their signature texture. Perfect as a festive holiday treat or a comforting everyday snack, lefse is traditionally served warm, slathered with butter, and dusted with sugar or cinnamon. Whether you're tracing your Nordic roots or discovering this time-honored favorite for the first time, learning how to make decadently soft lefse from scratch is a delicious culinary adventure you'll treasure.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 4 cups (mashed) Russet potatoes
• 0.25 cups Unsalted butter
• 0.25 cups Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 1 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 1.5 cups (plus extra for rolling) All-purpose flour

Directions

Step 1

Peel and dice the russet potatoes into smaller chunks. Place them in a large pot of salted water and boil until tender, about 15–20 minutes.

Step 2

Drain the potatoes thoroughly and mash them until smooth. Measure out 4 cups of mashed potatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

While the potatoes are still warm, mix in the unsalted butter, heavy cream, salt, and sugar. Stir until fully combined.

Step 4

Allow the potato mixture to cool completely. Once cool, add the flour gradually, mixing until the dough is smooth but not sticky. You may need to adjust the flour slightly depending on the moisture in your potatoes.

Step 5

Divide the dough into 16 equal portions and shape them into small balls. Cover them with a towel to prevent drying.

Step 6

Generously flour a clean surface and rolling pin. Roll out each dough ball into a thin, round circle about 10–12 inches in diameter.

Step 7

Preheat a large, dry griddle or flat skillet over medium heat. Carefully transfer one rolled-out piece of dough onto the hot griddle.

Step 8

Cook the lefse for about 1–2 minutes on each side, or until light brown spots begin to appear. Use a spatula or lefse stick to flip the lefse.

Step 9

Transfer cooked lefse to a clean kitchen towel and cover to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, rolling and cooking one at a time.

Step 10

Serve warm or at room temperature. Lefse is traditionally enjoyed spread with butter, and optionally sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	978.5 grams (978.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1779

Total Fat 45.80g	59%
Saturated Fat 26.30g	132%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 122mg	41%
Sodium 2483mg	108%
Total Carbohydrate 301.90g	110%
Dietary Fiber 16.90g	60%
Total Sugars 20.90g
Protein 38.80g	78%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 135mg	10%
Iron 16mg	91%
Potassium 4075mg	87%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.2%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 68.0%