Denmark, much like its Scandinavian neighbors, does not have an extravagant dessert fare, and contains heart but sumptuous ones. They are steeped in oral tales and ages of history that are cherished by the locals and enjoyed on special occasions.
When it comes to culture, few things say more about a nation's identity than its cuisine, and in Denmark, their collection of confections is impeccable though quite simple. Some are inspired by folklore with a hint of magic and some are rooted in a contest won by a little girl who popularized a certain dessert.
Whether simple or intricate in design, think Napoleon hats, these sweets say as much about Denmark through the ages as the languages spoken or landscapes that the country boasts. They showcase regional ingredients, seasonal traditions, and a balance of creativity with close cultural roots.
These might remind you of one of the many cookies in tin boxes where grandmothers and mothers stored their sewing stuff. The Danish Vaniljekranse is the perfect cookie that would fit into those boxes. But for the Danish, nothing says the holiday season in Denmark quite like the scent of vanilla wafting from the oven; that unmistakable aroma belongs to these Vaniljekranse cookies. A few simple pantry staples—flour, butter, sugar—come together in a blend that bakes up buttery and crisp. A hint of almond adds a grainy texture without overpowering the star ingredient i.e., the rich vanilla extract. As soon as December arrives, bakers young and old get to work crafting these festive circles. Rolling out the dough, cutters shape wreath-like impressions around the edges, it's no wonder their name translates to “vanilla crowns”.
Roughly translating to apple cake, this old Danish dessert resembles more of a trifle than a cake. It is the perfect dessert after meals that is high on the indulgence and low on the calories. Layers of apples are separated by toasted, sweetened bread crumbs, which soak up the juices from the fruit as it bakes. Some modern versions substitute crushed macaroon cookies between the layers. The exact origins are unknown, but Æblekage has long been a part of Danish home cooking, passed down through generations and made using seasonal apples. Though simple to make, it is still enjoyed as a reminder of comfort food from earlier times.
Drømmekage, or “Dream Cake” in Danish, is a light and fluffy cake, with a coconut topping. The topping is made with vanilla sugar, which can be easily homemade by pulverizing dried vanilla beans with powdered sugar in a food processor. It originated from a secret family recipe in the village of Brovst in northern Jutland. In 1965, this recipe gained widespread popularity when a young girl entered her grandmother's Drømmekage in a baking competition and won first place. Winning the competition all those years ago introduced more Danes to the remarkable airiness of this cake from Brovst. Its ethereal quality certainly lives up to its name translating to “Dream Cake”.
Napoleonshattes are intricately crafted miniature edible hats, shaped unmistakably after the bicorne hat worn by the infamous Napoleon himself. Behind each confection is a highly skilled pastry chef ensuring no two hats are exactly alike while maintaining the same old delicious taste. Made with shortcut pastry filled with marzipan, then dipped in chocolate, the Napoleonshatte has a balanced taste of almond and chocolate in every bite. You will find these fun desserts in most bakeries in Denmark but are available in other countries as well.
This one might surprise you: it's a rice pudding that is of Danish origin and quite popular in the country. It is their version of our kheer or payasam which is another Christmas staple in the Scandinavian country. The tradition of the risengrød can be traced back generations that revolve around local Danish folklore of magical creatures like Santa and his elves, but less angelic. In Danish Christmas tradition, families leave out bowls of rice pudding known as risengrød to appease the mischievous Nisser, elf-like creatures who inhabit homes and farms according to folklore. If treated kindly, the Nisser were said to help with chores but could be vengeful if provoked.
Lagkage is a multi-layered cake that holds a special place in Danish dessert culture. Translating to "layer cake," lagkage is made by stacking thin layers of a light, airy sponge cake and spreading creamy fillings between them. Common fillings include whipped cream, custards, fruit preserves, chocolate buttercream, and fresh berries. The cake is baked in a round pan so the layers form a tall cylindrical shape. It is then frosted on the sides and top, often featuring three to five delicate cake layers that beautifully showcase the different fillings. Master bakers are renowned for their lagkage decorated with many finely crafted layers. This cake is baked only on special occasions during weddings and festivals like Christmas.