Get ready for an adventure into the world of Swedish baking!
From decadent cakes to irresistible cookies, I’ve compiled 15 authentic recipes to transport your tastebuds straight to Scandinavia. Say goodbye to boring desserts, and hello to a fika-filled paradise.
1. Swedish Butter Cookies
These Swedish treats will absolutely melt in your mouth with their buttery flavor. While the cookies themselves are soft, the edges are wonderfully crisp, giving them great texture.
Even though they’re simple, these cookies are so addictive, it’s unbelievable. Seriously, you won’t be able to stop at just one.
2. Semlor Buns
The incredibly fluffy semlor buns feature a fantastic almond paste and whipped cream filling. Cardamom provides the buns with even more flavor, giving them a distinctive aroma.
But this is no ordinary cream, it is a blend of whipped cream and almond paste. This filling, along with the super-soft buns, creates a dessert that is absolutely delightful.
3. Swedish Apple Cake
Why not make appelkaka if you are stuck between pie and cake? The Swedish apple cake is divine. There’s a good reason why it is one of Sweden’s most beloved desserts.
The cake is deliciously moist and soft with a tart and crispy apple filling, served with a sweet vanilla sauce. It’s impossible to refuse appelkaka.
4. Swedish Ginger Cookies
A perfectly spiced and delightfully sweet ginger cookie, pepparkakor, is what you’ll get with this recipe. It is essentially a gingersnap, without frosting or icing.
It is said that these cookies can give you the power to make wishes come true, in addition to having the best flavor balance. To follow Swedish custom, place the cookie in your hand, tap it while making a wish, and watch for it to break.
5. Swedish Pancakes
Swedish pancakes are not only a breakfast item but also a dessert option in Sweden. People of all ages love eating these for lunch and dinner as well!
These pancakes are wonderfully buttery and sweet, tasting especially great with whipped cream and jam. I am always happy to eat them every day.
6. Princess Cake
The prinsesstarta or princess cake is another commonly enjoyed Swedish cake found at birthdays. Layers of fruit filling, sponge cake, and cream covered with marzipan, make it a great birthday treat.
Originally called green cake because of the marzipan frosting, the name eventually changed after being released in Prinsessornas Nya, a cookbook. It is guaranteed to be amazing, no matter what you call it.
7. Saffron Buns
Lussekatter, or saffron buns, have an incredible flavor.
These festive and vibrant buns are a traditional Christmas and Advent season treat. The incredibly soft and sweet buns are sometimes topped with raisins to create a great texture, while some versions have pearl sugar and almond paste.
8. Swedish Almond & Cardamom Mini-Cakes
Even though these Swedish mini-cakes are small, they are certainly flavorful. These almond and cardamom cakes are extra drool-worthy.
One simply won’t be enough of these mini-cakes. These almond and cardamom mini-cakes are just so good!
9. Swedish Christmas Toffee
This Swedish treat, also called Knack, features caramelized sugar and butter. It’s wonderfully sweet, crunchy, and ideal for the holiday season!
For greater flavor and texture, load it up with nuts. In Swedish, the term “knack” means “crack” or “break,” referring to the toffee’s fantastic texture.
10. Swedish Almond Cake
With a delicious almond topping, almond cake has a wonderful, dense texture. For coffee, this flavorful cake is the ideal pairing. A touch of lemon zest also flavors this cake, in addition to almonds.
You are passing up on a flavor combination you have never had before! This cake is an absolute game-changer.
11. Swedish Cheesecake
The incredibly creamy and rich ostkaka (or Swedish cheesecake) is sure to blow your mind.
This cheesecake has a custard-like texture thanks to the combination of cottage cheese, flour, eggs, sugar, cream, and almonds. It’s best when served with whipped cream, berry syrup, or jam at room temperature.
12. Swedish Waffles
When thinking of waffles, you might think that the best are from Belgium. But do you know that Sweden has a take on the well-known breakfast staple as well? Take my word that it is something you should try.
Also called vaffeldagen, Swedish waffles are thinner and crisper than standard waffles, and that by itself should be enough to make you love them. They come in a heart shape, too!
13. Sticky Chocolate Cake
Sweden’s version of chocolate cake is Kladdkaka. Even better than typical cakes, this one is crunchy on the outside and extremely moist on the inside.
For an even more delectable dessert, top with whipped cream, ice cream, or powdered sugar. Enjoy a warm fika (coffee break) with the cake.
14. Swedish Apple Pie
What makes a Swedish apple pie different? There is no crust! However, it’s just as tasty as the apple pie that everyone knows and loves.
A thick cinnamon filling makes the pie perfectly spiced and delightfully sweet. As it bakes, the filling creates a flaky crust on top, giving the pie a wonderful textural contrast.