Ancient Crackers Go Contemporary with GG® Scandinavian Bran Crispbreads

March 26, 2021

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Everything seems to move in cycles in the culinary world, and it is no exception with crispbreads from the renowned GG company in Norway. They have earned high marks with their Exceptional Fiber Crackers, the GG® Scandinavian Bran Crispbreads line of functional fiber crackers produced since 1935. GG Crackers are available in its Original Recipe as well as Oat Bran (just two ingredients!), Sunflower Seed, Pumpkin Seed and Honey Raisin varieties. For details and shopping, please see: //www.ggbrancrispbread.com

And what’s not to like? GG crackers are an exceptionally healthy fiber supplement that leave you with a satisfying, not “stuffed,” feeling afterward. Crispbreads are light and keep fresh for a very long time. They are absolutely amazing in their flexibility, which takes a slab of cheese onto it to eat without breaking (as most other crisps do). Considered a staple food, so low in cost it was once considered a “Poor man’s diet,” it is no wonder that in recent years there has been renewed interest in crispbread, in Nordic countries where they originated, and now in the United States.

GG crackers become the perfect oversized “crouton” for a green salad with capers, here with Norwegian sardines, tomato pesto, French honey mustard and California creamy brie – for a ridiculously little 300 calories

Crispbread traditionally consists of wholemeal rye, flour, salt and water. Baked in Scandinavia since 500 AD, the originalround wafers were baked with a hole in the middle so the bread could be stored on sticks under the roof! This was necessary because crispbreads at that time were baked just twice a year; following harvest and again in the spring when frozen river waters began to flow.

**GG Cracker**s are remarkably flexible, yet crisp which make them perfect for almost any type of cheese or fruit topping

The more traditional crispbread was actually invented about 500 years ago, with its consumption known in most households in Finland and Sweden since the 1800s. In the case of unleavened crispbread, bubbles are introduced into the dough mechanically. Traditionally, this was done by mixing snow or powdered ice into the dough, which then evaporated during baking. Today, the dough, which must contain a large amount of water, is cooled and mixed until bubbly.

Historic Knacklebrod crispbread with a hole in the center to “pole” it with sticks for storage from the ceiling for the winter (photo credit: 101 Scandinavian Kitchen)

GG crackers became the perfect base for us here at home as a substitute for bread and even for the crispbread we have one using and love. It is the perfect backdrop for the classics of cheese or butter and jam, in this case, Irish butter and St. Dalfour’s/Jean Francois preserves, sweetened with grape juice and not processed sugar!

GG® Scandinavian Bran Crispbreads with Pumpkin seeds ready for a creamy spread of Goat Cheese from Stepladder Creamery

Stepladder Creamery “Ragged Point” bloomy rind triple creme cow’s milk cheese is the perfect textural counterpoint to GG® Scandinavian Bran Crispbread with Pumpkin seeds

**GG Cracker** with Irish butter and healthy French preserves go with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee for a pick-me-up afternoon snack or breakfast – 100 calories! (400 in a French pastry)

The story is that in 1935, Norwegian Gunder Gunderson developed the GG crispbread recipe to combat his own digestive issues. Using bran, rye flour, a hint of salt, and water from the springs of Norway, he slow baked them for hours to create the fiber-filled crispbreads that are still made today in Larvik, Norway. His crispbread recipe contain higher than usual amounts of fiber, which helps you feel full, and is essential for digestive health. They are low in both calories and net carbs, but still manage to stay high in fiber. GG crackers are Non-GMO and have 2-4 grams fiber, 20-45 calories and only 1.5-4 grams of net carbs per cracker.

GG® Scandinavian Bran Crispbreads are low in calories and net carbs, and high in fiber. They are about 130 calories less for a cracker than a slice of bread

We loved the both the pumpkin and the sunflower seeds for salads — the raisin and honey work so beautifully with lamb, chicken or duck, and to top a salad with a soft cheese and hazelnuts. The Original flavor was much more bland.