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While in Sweden, I didn’t get to eat as many pastries as I would have liked, but it was still a carbohydrate bacchanal not soon to be forgotten. Bread at every meal. Potatoes. Buns. Cakes. Pepparkakor. My regime went out the airplane window…
Traditional Swedish pastries are not as sweet as American ones. They’re flavored differently too, with delicate saffron or cardamom, and raisins. These are from the Konditori Fågelsången (Birdsong Café) in Uppsala.
While we were in Sweden, the country was preparing for St. Lucia day, December 13, when little girls dress in white robes with red sashes. The eldest wears a crown of candles (!) on her head, and they sing the St. Lucia song, delivering coffee and special Lussekatter buns to their parents. (The Lussekatter buns are the S-shaped ones at the top of the case. They’re a simple sweet-roll dough with saffron.)
So cute. Notice that the candles are REAL. I saw real candles everywhere on this trip. Photo: Blue Church; click for source.
And then there are the cakes…
The green “Princess cakes” are much-favored in Sweden. They were invented in the early 20th century for the three daughters of Prince Carl of Sweden and Norway, the Duke of Västergötland: Margaretha, Martha and Astrid. The blue cakes are called “Prince cakes” and the pink ones are “Opera cakes.”
In Sweden, the coffee break (“fika”) is a national institution. It’s not a meal, like English tea, but a break from work or study, when people take time to enjoy coffee and a treat. They don’t drink their coffee in front of the computer. It’s too good for that!
The Princess cake has layers of sponge with pastry cream and whipped cream, topped by a layer of marzipan. Sometimes other layers are included, of jam or fresh fruit.
I was so greedy for this one that I ate a bite before I thought to take a picture.
As far as I’m concerned, this is the Best Cake on Earth. But I haven’t been to Vienna… Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to all!
Linnet Moss 
Yummy.
When were you in Sweden? Just now? A beautiful, vast country. I need to go back.
Thanks! We went a couple of weeks ago. I definitely want to go back. Great food, beautiful design everywhere you look, stunning scenery 🙂 And licorice!
Oh lucky you – Sweden… We keep postponing the visit to our friends in Stockholm year-after-year…
I loved Stockholm. There’s a famous vegetarian restaurant we didn’t get to visit, up above the harbor. Reason to return 🙂
As a Swede, I approve of this post. 😉
: ) I am craving the cake already…
Mnom, mnom, mnom – that looks delicious!!!
Yes, it was! It’s been causing carb cravings ever since.
ah yesss Princess cake! and all the buunnnsss!! i feel so lucky we are blessed with a fairly big and generous Nordic community and i have my favourite Swedish bakery close to work (and 2 more that i know of not far) 🙂 The cinnamon buns! And the many delicious cakes, i love them because a bit like the Austrian ones they are on the creamy side but not as sweet. Glad you got to indulge.
Those candles are scary! i guess that’s one way for girls to learn poise 🙂
PS And you have to go to Wien!
You are fortunate. I think I will have to make my own cardamom buns. That I can do, since they are a simple sweet roll dough, but the Princess cake is beyond my skills…
Oh I think I’m too lazy for that one! The dome shape is a pain… will have to rely on rare occasions when available for purchase
Okay, so you were in Sweden. The Princess tårta is indeed the best cake in the world. Forget about Vienna. There is absolutely no point in going there. If you’re in search of cake- Nirvana, you’ve already found it. Why go further?
LOL. I do think it’s some Platonic ideal of cake–the one with the raspberry layer 🙂
Mmmm…I love marzipan.
Me too, and I can’t find it that often, where I live.
Oooh, that looks delicious!
Yes, I never realized what a flair the Swedes have for pastry.