Pinocchio Cake

My mom calls this Donald Duck cake, but it is better known as Pinocchio cake. I do not know what Disney characters have to do with it, but it is a popular cake in Sweden. It is the perfect summer cake; easy to make and serves many. The cake comprises a sponge topped with meringue and flaked almonds that is layered with whipped cream and fresh berries. Yum!!!

A Different Kind of Easter

I make traditional fäbodmat from Jämtland every Easter. A knowledge that is about to be lost, so I wished to publish the recipes handed down from my grandmother and aunts.

Kams (Whey Poached Barley Cakes)

This is the local variant of old, traditional Fäbodmat from Ragunda, Sweden. The flat dough cakes are poached in leftover whey from cheese making and served immediately while hot, with cold fresh cheeses, messmör (whey butter) and butter.

Sötost (Sweet Cheese from Ragunda)

This is just a sweeter, more fragrant version of fresh cheese and a traditional accompaniment to Kams. But it is delicious on its own and a great sandwich spread, especially on tunnbröd (traditional flatbread from northern Sweden). The recipe is very similar to how I make my fresh cheese.

Messmör (Swedish Whey Butter)

This is a Swedish delicacy not to be ignored, especially if you make your own cheese. Promise me to never to throw away whey again!! It has a complex, caramel flavor, that some people like to enhance with a little vanilla. It is not only a popular sandwich spread, but is widely used as a seasoning for stews, sauces and even desserts.

Kesfil / Flygin (Refreshing Milk Dessert from Ragunda)

A deliciously cool and light dessert for hot summer days! And such a rare dish that most Swedes will never have heard about it. This milk pudding is made of silky smooth fresh cheese, served with half-and-half or whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. As the nickname Flygin implies (meaning to fly in, in Swedish), it simply slips away as it enters the mouth.

Ostkaka (Swedish Cheesecake)

The Swedish version of cheesecake is quite famous and popular despite being very different from the American version. It is a creamy, almond-scented cheese curd-based pudding that is served lukewarm with whipped cream and jam.

Swedish Kladdkaka (Sticky Cake) / Brownies

The famous Swedish kladdkaka is a rich, gooey chocolate cake that is served with whipped cream or ice cream. My quick, failproof recipe requires only a pot, a pan and an oven. Deliciously crispy on the outside and depending on how long you bake it, the inside will be gooey or sticky (for kladdkaka) or chewy (for brownies).