Not sure how to go about trying Swedish cuisine? Let me give you a starting point for Swedish food recipes and you can take your pick!
I have been living in Stockholm for more than 10 years now, and although it took time for me to get used to Swedish food, I find myself missing it every time I’ve been away for more than a couple of weeks.
This here is a list of some of my favorite Swedish recipes – a mix of classic and not-so-traditional dishes and treats that I regularly make at home, whether I am staying in Germany, or in Italy.
You do not have to travel to Sweden to enjoy the delightful Swedish cuisine – just give these recipes a try!
SWEDISH SAVORY DISHES
A mix of smoked bacon, ham, sausage and potatoes. A perfect ‘hangover’ food, if you ask me.
Originally made out of leftovers, but we rarely do so nowadays. Each country in the Nordics have their own version of this delicious dish as well.
SWEDISH SALMON BURGER WITH LEMON YOGURT SAUCE
Salmon is the most common fish in the Nordics, and quite affordable too (by Swedish standards, that is).
Serve this healthy alternative to burgers with a refreshing lemon yogurt sauce, and I’m betting you would be making this not just in the summer, but the whole year-round.
SWEDISH POTATOES WITH DILL CREAM SAUCE
If you don’t watch it, you will end up eating this as a main dish, instead of having it on the side. This vegetable side dish goes so well with grilled or roasted meat, or even baked salmon.
Don’t be wary of adding a LOT of dill to this dish – it really brings it to a new level of deliciousness.
SWEDISH COOKIES
SWEDISH HAZELNUT & CARDAMOM COOKIES
This combination of flavor is not so common for Swedish cookies (at least not in Stockholm).
Fortunately, I came across them in a couple of small, corner bakeries where they still have grandmothers making old-fashioned cookies.
I’ve started preparing them at home since then; always making sure I have at least a half-full jar available on-hand.
SWEDISH DESSERTS
SWEDISH CINNAMON BUNS (KANELBULLAR)
I was hooked on these sweet bread for months when I first moved to Sweden. I would have them for breakfast, lunch and snack—for almost half a year. Apparently, every expat goes through the same process.
Yes, there are frozen ones that you can buy at IKEA, but you can easily make them at home. You don’t even need a stand mixer to do it.
To stick to the traditional Swedish recipe, don’t go stingy on the cinnamon and cardamom powder. 🙂
Baked almond paste topped with more almonds; these are known locally as ‘Toscabit’. I prefer to make these at home because the ones that I see in the coffeeshops tend to be a bit too sweet for my taste.
Coffee and a serving of this treat – that’s an irresistible combo for an afternoon snack, or even breakfast!
SWEDISH ALMOND & CARDAMOM MINI CAKES
I can only find these in one coffee shop in Stockholm, smack in the middle of Gamla Stan (Old Town).
Suffice it to say, I kept coming back to that café until I managed to get it right – mini cakes made of almond paste rolled into sugar and cardamom.
Now you can simply enjoy this addictive Swedish dessert at home. Trust me, one piece would not be enough!
SWEDISH CHOCOLATE COFFEE SQUARES
A no-fuss chocolate cake topped with (more) chocolate icing and dried coconuts.
The key to this cake is to balance the bitterness of the coffee with the sweetness from the chocolate in every bite – and the crunch from the dried coconuts on top.
You think it’s difficult to make? Nope. Try it and judge for yourself.
SWEDISH NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE BALLS (CHOKLADBOLLAR)
These are as ubiquitous as the cinnamon buns, the only thing that varies is their size. It is also one of those treats that kids don’t just love to eat; they would eagerly prepare them too!
As for adults, the rolled oats in them allow you to have less guilt in every bite. 🙂
SWEDISH SAFFRON BUNS (LUSSEKATTER)
These slightly sweet bread are served every 13thof December, Saint Lucia Day.
Saint Lucia is believed to be a bearer of light, and celebrating this special day is supposed to help us in going through the cold and dark Swedish winter (Yep, we take all the help we could get 😉 ).
When you see saffron in Swedish desserts, that pretty much mean Christmas is around the corner.
This delicately flavored cake is normally served during this season. It pairs well with coffee or tea, but mostly with glögg (mulled wine).
You think it is time to go easy on dessert during Easter? Nope, this Swedish tradition feels like Christmas on Lent. 🙂
The bun is flavored with cardamom, with a hollow center that is filled with almond paste, topped with whipped cream and some powdered sugar.
You normally see these on bakeries by February, but nothing stops you from making them anytime you want. Just heavenly.
These come in different sizes, and sometimes you would even see them dipped in chocolate. They’re perfect for after-meal dessert, and even more so if you pair them with a cup of espresso.
SWEDISH STRAWBERRY & ELDERFLOWER TARTLETS
This one just screams ‘summer’! 🙂
Tangy, sweet, creamy and best served chilled; these are great with coffee, tea or a glass of chilled white wine or rose.
SWEDISH CHOCOLATE CIGARS (CHOKLADCIGARRER)
I rarely see these in coffee shops, but they’re quite common in supermarkets. They’re not as easy to prepare as the chocolate balls, but kids love them as much.
Oh! These are perfect with a glass of milk!
It pays to make your own almond paste, if you plan to try many of these treats. As you can see from this list, it’s the most common ingredient, other than cardamom in Swedish desserts.
You can use either whole almonds or almond meal to do this, and you can even store it for weeks.
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