Top 21 Northern European Cakes

One of the most popular Swedish desserts is a rich chocolate cake known as kladdkaka. This classic Swedish creation combines eggs, cocoa (or chocolate), butter, sugar, and flour into a dense and luscious dessert. During baking, the cake should always remain moist in the center, while the outer layer is transformed into a thin, crunchy coating. Since the cake is incredibly dense, and typically heavy on the bitter chocolate or cocoa, it is usually dusted with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, and traditionally served with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream on the side. It is one the most beloved Swedish desserts, typically enjoyed during fika, a traditional Swedish coffee break. Expand

Jordgubbstårta is a traditional strawberry cake originating from Sweden. It usually consists of five parts: sponge cake (flour, sugar, eggs, cornstarch, vanilla); lemon syrup (lemon juice, water, sugar); pastry cream (eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour, butter, milk); mascarpone whipped cream (mascarpone cheese, crème fraiche, sugar, vanilla), and a garnish of fresh strawberries. In order to assemble the cake, the sponge cake is brushed with lemon syrup, topped with pastry cream and quartered strawberries, and then with whipped cream. The process is repeated two more times, and the cake is then covered with mascarpone whipped cream and the remaining strawberries. This strawberry and cream cake is often prepared for the Midsommar feast. Expand

Drømmekage (lit. Dream cake) is a traditional cake originating from Hjallerup in Jutland. The cake is made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, baking powder, and vanilla. Once prepared, the smooth batter is placed in a baking tin and baked until golden brown. It's then taken out of the oven and topped with a coconut-caramel topping consisting of butter, milk, brown sugar, and desiccated coconut. The cake is baked for ten more minutes, and it's left to cool before serving. It is believed that drømmekage dates back to 1960 when a woman named Jytte Andersen took part in a cake-baking competition that was organized by a large Danish food company. Her drømmekage was so good that it won, and the rest is sweet history.Expand

Brunsviger is a traditional cake originating from the island of Fyn (Funen) in Denmark. The cake is made with a combination of flour, butter, milk, sugar, and yeast, while the sugary topping consists of butter, brown sugar, and milk or heavy cream. The dough is placed into a square pan, flattened, and left to rise. Indentations are made in the dough with the fingers, and the sugary topping is then poured across the dough. The cake is baked in the oven until golden, and it’s always left to cool down slightly before it’s cut into square shapes and served warm. Brunsviger is especially popular in the mornings and afternoons, with a cup of coffee or tea on the side.Expand

This classic Swedish cake was originally named grön tårta (lit. green cake), due to its typical green-colored marzipan decoration. The recipe was first published in a 1948 edition of Prinsessornas Nya Kokbok, and it originally consisted of sponge layers coated in vanilla-flavored buttercream which were then topped with a thick layer of whipped cream and marzipan. It became increasingly popular in the 1950s, and it soon became known as prinsesstårta. This classic is a staple at every special event in Sweden and is commonly found in most pastry shops. Modern varieties are usually dome-shaped and come with an additional layer of raspberry jelly.Expand

Rabarberkage is a traditional rhubarb cake originating from Denmark. Although there are many recipes, the cake is usually made with a combination of rhubarb slices, flour, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, butter, and lemon zest. The rhubarb slices are first mixed with cinnamon sugar and left to rest for a while. The butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and lemon zest are mixed into a batter that’s spread in a baking tin. The batter is topped with rhubarb slices, and the cake is baked until the fruit becomes caramelized and the cake sets. Once cooled, the cake is served warm or at room temperature, and it’s recommended to accompany it with a dollop of crème fraîche.Expand

Kvæfjordkake is a traditional cake originating from Kvæfjord on the island of Hinnøya. It consists of layers of cake, meringue, vanilla cream, and chopped almonds. Rich, yet light, the cake is made with a combination of butter, sugar, egg yolks, flour, baking powder, milk, and vanilla sugar. The meringue is made with egg whites, salt, sugar, and almonds, while the vanilla custard contains sugar, egg yolks, starch, whole milk, and vanilla. Kvæfjordkake is also known as verdens beste, which means world's best cake.Expand

Tropisk aroma-kake is a classic cake originating from Norway. The flavor of nutmeg in the cake and coffee in the icing give this cake an exotic aroma and its name. The cake is usually made with a combination of flour, baking powder, eggs, sugar, butter, salt, nutmeg, milk, and cinnamon, while the icing is made with a combination of coffee, vanilla, butter, cocoa powder, and icing sugar. The batter is placed into a baking pan and baked for about 20 minutes. It is then left to cool on a wire rack and topped with the icing, which also goes on the sides of the cake in thin layers. Once prepared, tropisk aroma-kake is typically sliced in thin wedges when served.Expand

Ostkaka is a very old Swedish specialty that literally translates to cheesecake, although it should not be mistaken with the well-known American cheesecake. Traditionally, it is prepared with rennet that converts milk into cheese, which is then combined with flour, eggs, sugar, cream, and almonds, and baked until lightly browned. The whole process can be simplified by using cottage cheese instead. Unlike American cheesecakes, ostkaka is less sweet, much lighter, less fattening, and somewhat custardy. It is best served lukewarm or at room temperature, drizzled with fresh berry syrup, tart jam, or topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Ostkaka even has its very own day, called the Ostkaka dag (the 14th of November) when this delicious culinary delight is celebrated in Sweden. It can be bought ready-made in any supermarket throughout Sweden and is a staple dessert enjoyed during Swedish celebrations year-round.Expand

Mansikkakakku is a traditional cake originating from Finland. The cake is usually made with a combination of strawberries, almonds, sugar, egg whites, salt, heavy cream, and vanilla. The egg whites are beaten with salt and sugar until stiff peaks form. The almonds are ground and mixed with sugar, and the mixture is folded into the meringue. The meringue is baked and dried, then topped with whipped cream and strawberries. The process is repeated again with the same layers, and the cake is then chilled before serving. Expand