6 Popular Desserts From Sweden That are Loved by Citizens Near and Far Looking For a Taste of Home

Swedish people are also known for their simpler treats like their Scandinavian neighbors, but they do have one or two extravagant desserts like the princess cake and their local cheesecake with strawberries on top.

Sweden has a long tradition of beloved baked goods and desserts that remain popular today, both within the country and among Swedes living abroad. As in many cultures, sweets play an important role in Swedish social and holiday traditions. Afternoon fika breaks, featuring coffee and a baked treat, are a cherished daily custom. Certain desserts also hold significance as regional specialties or cultural symbols of Sweden. This article will explore some of the most iconic Swedish desserts, looking at their origins, traditional recipes, and role in Swedish food culture and celebrations.

1. Semla

The semla is a beloved Swedish pastry consisting of a small wheat flour bun flavored with cardamom and filled with almond paste and whipped cream. Swedes have enjoyed semlas for generations, with the tradition said to have originated from celebrations held before the Lenten season (in Christianity). These days, bakeries begin offering the cream-filled buns even before Christmas each year, which prompts ongoing complaints that they appear on shelves earlier and earlier. However, that does little to diminish Swedes' enthusiasm for semlas. As soon as they become available, people consume them eagerly, often in large quantities, as if savoring every last one before they disappear until the following season. Not so fun fact, the King of Sweden was a victim of doing the same and died of indigestion by eating too many Semlas.

2. Jordgubbstårta

Strawberry season is short in Sweden, so jordgubbstårta is seen as a sign that summer has arrived when it starts appearing in bakeries and cafes. The exact recipe can vary, but the key ingredients always include strawberries, whipped cream or custard, and a soft sponge cake. It consists of several thin layers of sponge cake stacked with a mixture of whipped cream and fresh strawberries between each layer. Strawberries are also piled on top of the finished cake. Jordgubbstårta is often served at Swedish midsummer celebrations in June, taking advantage of the peak of the strawberry season. It is a light and delicious dessert that is not heavy on the palate and is enjoyed by the Swedes quite a bit!

3. Kladdkaka

Kladdkaka is a traditional chocolate cake that originated in Sweden and is fairly new to the desserts realm in Sweden. Its name directly translates to "sticky cake," which accurately describes its dense and fudgy texture, and it is made with only a handful of basic ingredients. Kladdkaka is part of the Swedes’ daily coffee break tradition known as "fika” and unlike the classic teacakes, this one is rich in chocolate with a molten chocolate core. The edges are fudgy and dry, almost like a brownie with a crisp top, and one could say it's a cross between a brownie and mud cake with a molten interior.

4. Våfflor

These are nothing but Sweden’s version of waffles, served with a dollop of whipped cream and one or two strawberries on top, sometimes cloudberry jam is added with the whipped cream instead of the strawberries too. It is so popular that e-commerce sites like the Swedish IKEA sell them too, in frozen form. Just like waffles, våfflor is a baked good made from a batter of flour, milk, eggs, and melted butter that is cooked in a waffle iron. They have the trademark crispy exterior and soft spongy interior.

5. Ostkaka

Ostkaka is Sweden’s spin on the classic cheesecake but as is the trademark of Scandinavian countries, almonds find their way into the ostkaka without which it is incomplete. This cake peaks during summer, in June, in Sweden when strawberry season comes which they call Midsummer. With seasons the toppings of the ostkaka do change, but the summer version remains a favorite, for summer in the Northern countries are fleeting. References to Ostkaka date back to the 1520s, when records show it was served at the household of Bishop Hans Brask in Linköping on New Year's Day. Traditionally made using rennet to curdle milk into cheese, the Ostkaka mixture also included eggs, cream, flour, sugar, and almonds. However, modern recipes often substitute cottage cheese for easier preparation.

6. Prinsesstårta

Translating to Princess Cake, the Prinsesstårta is Sweden’s crown jewel when it comes to desserts. The Princess Cake has its origins in recipe books from the early 20th century known as The Princess Cookbooks. Featuring portraits of Swedish princesses, these books helped popularize a "Green Cake" recipe that would evolve into what is now known as the Princess Cake—a multi-layered dessert consisting of thin layers of sponge cake alternating with raspberry jam, vanilla custard, and whipped cream, traditionally topped with green marzipan. Named for the royal women who enjoyed it, the Princess Cake quickly became beloved across Sweden and Finland. Its impressive domed structure of carefully layered cream has become symbolic of Sweden today. IKEA also sells these.