Discover Swedish semla: Irresistible buns for winter bliss
Swedish cuisine is primarily associated with iconic meatballs and cardamom buns but conceals even more delicacies. For an afternoon snack, it's worth serving semla, a delicious bun filled with almonds and whipped cream. You won't be able to stop at just one.
Swedish cakes, known as semla or semlor, are a popular dessert during the carnival season, but their taste makes them worth enjoying all year round. These buns are filled with almond paste and whipped cream, making them an exceptional dessert for cool winter evenings. A smile on your face is guaranteed after such a treat.
Semla - the ideal bun for an afternoon snack
The origin of semlor dates back to ancient Rome, where people enjoyed bread soaked in milk. "semla" comes from the Latin "semila," meaning fine flour. Over time, this tradition went to Germanic countries and Scandinavia.
Semlor has been known in Scandinavia since the 16th century when Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg brought it to Sweden. One of the biggest fans of Swedish buns was King Adolf Frederick. However, it did not do him much good. After a hefty meal, he ate a large quantity of semla, got stomach cramps, and passed away a few hours later. It's no wonder gluttony is considered a cardinal sin.
Recipe for Swedish semlor
In the past, semlor were served on deep plates with warm milk in Sweden. Now, these buns are more popular than ever and are eaten from Christmas until Easter. They are one of the symbols of Swedish cuisine.
Ingredients:
- 500g of plain flour
- 15g of fresh yeast
- 150ml of warm milk
- 110g of butter
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 50g of sugar
- a pinch of salt
Filling
- 100g of ground almonds,
- 110g of butter,
- 100g of icing sugar,
- 1 egg,
- 1 tablespoon of marzipan (optional),
- 450ml of double cream,
- icing sugar for sprinkling.
Preparation method:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk, add a tablespoon of flour, and set aside in a warm place for about 15 minutes until it rises.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the starter, melted butter, egg, and egg yolk. Knead into a smooth dough.
- Cover with a cloth and set aside warmly to rise for 1-1.5 hours.
- Mix ground almonds, butter, icing sugar, egg, and marzipan in a bowl. Blend or crush into a smooth paste.
- Divide the risen dough into portions, form buns, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Set aside for 10-15 minutes under a cloth to let them rise slightly.
- Brush them with a beaten egg.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20-25 minutes until the buns are golden.
- Cut the cooled buns in half. Spread a thick almond paste on the bottom half, then add whipped cream.
- Cover with the top half and sprinkle with icing sugar.
Delicious buns with almond filling and whipped cream are now ready. Enjoy!
