It’s the 13 Yule Lads Plus Icelandic pancakes!
Sure we all know Dasher and Dancer. Donner and ummm Nixon? Those guys are the worst TBH. But do you know the names of the Yule Lads?
I teased that I would eventually tell you so now that it’s a little late into the game, let’s discuss who’s out and about running amuck.
December 12. STEKKJASTAUR (SHEEP-COTE-CLOD)
This is the first Yule Lad. He comes on the night before the 12th of December. He is said to suck milk from sheep and was known for having two wooden feet.
December 13. GILJAGAUR (GULLY GAWK)
The second Yule Lad comes on the night before the 13th of December. He was known to hide in barns and steal the froth of the milk buckets. So we have a real milk theme going on here. Which also feels a little creepy since this are grown up mama’s boys…
December 14. STÚFUR (STUBBY)
The third Yule lad comes on the night before the 14th of December. He was known for being unusually short and stealing pans to eat the crust left in them. I would welcome this if I thought he’d clean the pan and leave it somewhere for me to find it.
December 15. ÞVÖRUSLEIKIR (SPOON-LICKER)
The fourth of the Yule Lads comes the night before the 15th of December. He is known for being tall and thin and for stealing þvörur (long wooden spoons) to lick them. I am uhhhh not mad at this guy. Licking the spoon is my favorite part of baking. Hey don’t judge I keep things clean!
December 16. POTTASKEFILL (POT-LICKER)
The fifth of the Yule Lads comes the night before the 16th of December. He is known to steal leftovers from pots. So make sure you have cleaned up everything, and that you have put all your food and leftovers away securely. Are you seeing a theme develop here, cuz I am.
December 17th: ASKASLEIKIR (BOWL-LICKER)
The sixth of the Yule Lads comes on the eve of the 17th of December. He was known to hide under beds when people would place their “askur,” a plate used for all meals. He then stole the askur and ate from it. Again, we need to. make sure we are cleaning allllll the plates and dishes everyday. God this is so genius.
December 18th: HURÐASKELLIR (DOOR-SLAMMER)
The seventh of the Yule Lads comes the night before the 18th of December. He was ummmm not as delicate and quiet as the other Lads. In fact, he seems to want to make his presence known. And he does this by slamming the doors during the night.
December 19th: SKYRGÁMUR (SKYR-GOBBLER)
The eighth Lad, Skyr Gobbler was known for being obsessed with the Icelandic yogurt skyr. I think I need to do some more research to figure out what this one is really about since each of these feels like a scare tactic to get the kids cleaning up all winter.
December 20th: BJÚGNAKRÆKIR (SAUSAGE-SWIPER)
The ninth of the Yule Lads comes on the eve of the 20th of December. He hides in your rafters and steals your unatteneded sausages that you are smoking. Again, I guess I can’t really blame the guy. Lads gotta eat!
December 21st: GLUGGAGÆGIR (WINDOW-PEEPER)
The tenth of the Yule Lads comes on the night before the 21st of December. And he is apparently a peeping tom and has really upped the ante here on being home invaders. He would peek inside people’s windows to see if there was anything to steal. Sure. Suuuuuure Jan.
December 22nd: GÁTTAÞEFUR (DOORWAY-SNIFFER)
The eleventh of the Yule Lads comes on the night before the 22nd of December. He has an extremely long, large nose and an amazing sense of smell, he usually uses to seek out yummy Laufabrauð. I have a post with a recipe for Laufabrauð that I will come back to link!
December 23rd: KETKRÓKUR (MEAT-HOOK)
The twelfth of the Yule Lads comes on the night before the 23rd of December. He brings with him a meat-hook that is used to steal your meat. Feels both self-explanatory and also still quite horrific.
December 24th: KERTASNÍKIR (CANDLE-STEALER)
The thirteenth of the Yule Lads comes on the night before the 24th of December. He follows children to steal their candles (which used to be edible, made from fat). I mean, can’t be mad at using everything I guess?
Icelandic Pancakes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix the flour with baking soda and salt, add half of the milk, and whip until smooth.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and the rest of the milk. Melt the butter in a small pot and add to the mix.
- If you like, you can add a tablespoon of coffee. It adds to the taste and makes them browner. I do not like coffee, so I never add it, but it depends on personal preference.
- Mix well, and if you think it is too thick, add some milk. If you have the opposite problem add some flour. This recipe should be proportionally fine, so cook a few pancakes before thinning or thickening the recipe.
- The author of this recipe uses a special pancake skillet and a pancake spade which is thin and long compared to traditional cooking spades. I put a small slice of butter on the skillet to melt and scoop the dough onto the skillet.
- She heats the skillet, melts the butter, places it above the bowl, pours the dough on the skillet, rolls it around, and lets the extra dough leak back into the bowl with the dough. Then places it back on the stove to cook for about a minute or so until they can place their spade under it, flip it and then let it cook for half a minute or so, toss it onto a big plate, and start the next one.
- While the next one is cooking, put sugar on the cooked one and roll it up. It is still hot, and the sugar melts while rolling it up.
- Pönnukökur would have been a delightful treat during the cold Icelandic winters, offering a moment of warmth and sweetness. They are simple, yet delicious, and provide a glimpse into the everyday life and traditions of the Icelandic people during the time of the Yule Lads folklore. Enjoy making these traditional pancakes and immerse yourself in the culinary heritage of Iceland!