Here’s a mix of traditional Swedish desserts and authentic Swedish pastries that you can easily prepare at home. Try all these recipes and decide which one is your favorite!
Although these recipes are part of the traditional Swedish desserts and pastries, most, like Swedish cinnamon buns and cardamom cake, can also be served as snacks or even breakfast.
Coffee, tea, wine, or glögg (for the holidays) — these are all excellent beverages that you can serve with any of these Swedish desserts.
So, enjoy!
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Traditional Swedish desserts
Blåbärssoppa (Swedish Blueberry Soup)
Blåbärssoppa is a traditional Swedish dessert (or snack!) that’s in soup form — might sound a bit weird, but it’s DELICIOUS.
We enjoy it warm in winter, and cold in warmer months, both equally excellent.
If you want to complete the experience, serve Swedish blueberry soup with some cream and bits of crushed almond cookies.
You would surely be asking for seconds!
Yep, these famous pancakes are categorized as dessert, not breakfast.
Pannkakor could also be served as a snack, but not as the first meal of the day — that’s just not typical in Sweden.
And since it’s a dessert (and they’re thin and light!), you can go crazy having these Swedish pancakes with your favorite jam and a (huge) dollop of whipped cream!
Swedish Apple Pie (Crustless!)
Some refer to this as Swedish apple crumble, because it does not have a pastry crust.
If you think you will not get any crunch because there is no pastry — you are hugely mistaken.
The oatmeal crumble on top of this Swedish apple pie is even better than your regular pie crust — a whole lot of crunch to compliment the deliciously soft apples at the bottom.
Give this recipe a try; it only takes a few minutes to prepare — a no-fuss apple dessert that’s packed with flavor!
Classic Swedish cakes
Midsommartårta (Swedish Midsummer Cake)
It’s a classic Swedish cake that celebrates the season’s best strawberries.
You think preparing midsommartårta is too much work?
Nah, you only need to add some whipped cream with fresh strawberries, and you will get a delicious layered sponge cake with strawberry filling — and I promise you, it’s not overly sweet!
You can certainly add more layers if you prefer, and nowadays, it’s pretty common to use a mix of berries.
But regardless of how you decide to prepare it, this Swedish midsummer cake recipe is always a hit — whether you serve it for dessert or fika!
Saffranskaka (Swedish Saffron Cake)
A traditional, saffron-flavored cake that’s ubiquitous in (almost) every Christmas gathering.
Some add raisins, and some add almonds — yep, you guessed it, I’m on the sliced-almonds team.
While this saffron cake might be slightly buttery for some, there is an excellent balance of sweet and saffron in every bite of this cake. Serve it with coffee, tea, red wine, or glögg!
Kärleksmums (Swedish Chocolate Coconut Cake)
If you like chocolate, you will not be disappointed with this one.
It’s a simple chocolate cake, topped with more chocolate for icing and some dried, unsweetened coconut flakes.
A classic Swedish cake that’s typically baked in a square or rectangular pan, then cut into squares — so much easier to eat because you don’t even need a fork to pick it up!
Kardemummakaka (Swedish Cardamom Cake)
Arguably, one of the top most-loved traditional Swedish cakes; and deservingly so.
If you like cardamom, you will surely have this cardamom cake as a regular in your home, too — deliciously soft, with a perfect balance of spice and buttery goodness in every bite!
Mumma (Swedish Almond Paste Cake)
Unlike the usual almond cake, this Swedish cake is made of almond paste.
While the taste might be similar, there is a noticeable difference in the texture (and bite) of these mini almond cakes — you just have to try them to see for yourself.
Oh! They are also coated with sugar and freshly ground cardamom. Absolutely yummy!
Authentic Swedish pastries and sweets
Kanelbullar (Swedish Cinnamon Buns)
Don’t even question it; these Swedish cinnamon buns are excellent for breakfast, fika, dessert, and anytime you want something to treat yourself.
Sweet, aromatic buns flavored with cinnamon and with a hint of cardamom — simply heavenly.
If you still haven’t tried this traditional Swedish pastry recipe, then there’s no time like the present — or you can wait until the 4th of October for National Cinnamon Bun Day! 😉
Oh! And make sure you have a cup of coffee ready for your kanelbulle as well. Enjoy!
Lussekatter (Swedish Saffron Buns)
Just like the saffron cake, these St.Lucia buns are traditionally available during the holidays, although these treats are tied to the celebration of Sta. Lucia day every 13th of December.
These traditional Swedish pastries are considered as ‘sweet buns,’ but they’re not really sweet, like the cinnamon rolls — you only get that extra burst of sugar when you bite on those raisins on top.
Since lussekatter are not available the whole year-round, make sure you enjoy them for breakfast, fika, snack, and dessert!
You think this classic Swedish pastry is too heavy for dessert, right? Nah, semlor are now being sold in smaller (kiddie) sizes as well. 🙂
It’s the same delicious cardamom-flavored bun with almond paste filling and that luscious, whipped cream on top — perfect with that cup of coffee you always have after lunch.
And if you want more? Wait a bit for fika, and then you can have the regular size. 🙂
Toscabit (Swedish Almond Tart)
If you like almonds, you will LOVE this addictive Swedish pastry.
Almond paste in the filling and caramelized almond slices on top. So yep, undeniable almond flavor in every single bite of this Swedish almond tart.
Don’t think it’s overly sweet, though. Nope. It’s just perfect for that cup of coffee or tea that you would be serving.
Chokladbollar (Swedish Chocolate Balls)
These no-bake chocolate balls are always a hit with kids and adults.
It’s made of cocoa powder, sugar, and oats — yep, oats! So don’t feel bad if you’re already had a handful of chokladbollar. 😀
So, which ones have you already tried? Which is your favorite Swedish dessert? Let me know!
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