I’m an avid baker, and the holidays are a time when I get to shine the spotlight on recipes that celebrate my Norwegian ancestry. Norwegians love their sweets, especially during the holidays, when they celebrate with syv slags kaker, or “seven types of cookies,” a Christmas tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. I cherish the recipes I have with my grandmother’s handwritten, sparsely detailed instructions, and feel a deep connection to my heritage as I continue our baking traditions. These are traditional Norwegian specialties that have been in my family for generations, that I made with my mother and now make with my son, as well as recipes that I’ve added over the years to keep my Nordic repertoire growing. Some, such as krumkake, rosettes, and kransekake, require special equipment and skills to master. Others, such as spritz and pepperkaker, are affordable, big-batch cookies that are so easy to …