Hello!
The weather in recent days has not been pleasant. It’s been rainy, misty and windy in Stockholm. I think, sipping a cup of coffee or tea in a cosy café or just your own room is very relaxing and perfectly suits this weather. Since Swedes love sweets, of course, they are an integral part of fika. That’s why today, I will discuss something to counter this rather depressing aura – Swedish sweets 😀
Dammsugare – the sweet vacuum cleaner
Let’s kick off our sweet adventure with a treat with a quirky name and a delightful taste – Dammsugare, which translates to “vacuum cleaner” in Swedish. These small cylindrical pastries earned their name due to their resemblance to the early 20th-century vacuum cleaners. They are typically made with crushed cookies, cocoa, butter, punch liqueur and marzipan. Then, they are dipped in chocolate from on the edges.
Iconic kanelbullar
No exploration of Swedish sweets is complete without mentioning Kanelbullar, the Swedes’ beloved cinnamon bun. These golden, twisted pastries are not just a snack; they are a symbol of comfort and cosiness in Sweden. The dough with cinnamon and sugar creates a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Kanelbullar are often topped with pearl sugar. Actually, it isn’t that hard to bake them although the effects may not be as impressive as the bought kanelbullar (in terms of the shape).
Kardemummabullar
Cardamom buns, often referred to as Kardemummabullar in Swedish, are rolled into spirals, much like Kanelbullar, but the distinctive flavour of cardamom sets them apart. The aromatic spice adds a unique and fragrant twist to the soft, fluffy dough (picture at the end).
Våfflor
Waffle Day, or Våffeldagen in Swedish, is a celebration that revolves around… well, the humble waffle Waffles are usually eaten all year round but, a particular day just for this pastry is observed on March 25th. An interesting thing is that Swedish waffles are not as fluffy as the normal Belgian waffles. Waffles in Sweden come in various forms however, a heart shape is quite common. They are served with whipped cream and berries, or the more elaborate versions are topped with ice cream and sauces.
Crispy and sweet knäckebröd
While knäckebröd is traditionally a type of crispbread, the sweet variations found in Sweden add a unique twist to it. Sweet knäckebröd often incorporates ingredients like honey, cinnamon, and dried fruits. You can pair it with butter or cheese for a sweet and savoury experience.
Fettisdagen and the famous Semla
Now, let’s turn our attention to Fettisdagen or Fat Tuesday. Falling on the Tuesday before Lent, Fettisdagen is a time for indulgence before the fasting period begins. Interestingly, the equivalent of Fat Tuesday in Poland is a Thursday one week before the Lent starts.
At the heart of Fettisdagen is the iconic Semla. I found that the Semla initially was a simple wheat bun soaked in hot milk. It is crazy how over the years, the recipe evolved and turned this into an elaborate delight. A typical Semla consists of a cardamom-spiced bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream and sprinkled with icing sugar on top. The association with Fat Tuesday comes from the tradition of consuming rich, fatty foods before the fasting period. Modern takes on Semla include the addition of chocolate or flavoured fillings or even a combination of Kanelbullar/ Kardemummabullar with Semla fillings.
More sweets are typical for Sweden such as Ahlgrens Bilar or celebration-specific such as Prinsesstårta or Lussekatter which I talked about in my previous blogs. Out of the sweets mentioned here, Kardemummabulle is my favourite. How about you? 🙂
/Aleksandra, Experimental and Medical Biosciences
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