Discover Swedish semla: A sweet treat that's rich in history

Swedish cakes, known as semla or semlor, are a popular dessert during the carnival season, but their delicious taste makes them worth enjoying all year round. These buns are filled with almond paste and whipped cream, making them an exceptional dessert, perfect for cool winter evenings. A smile on your face is guaranteed after such a treat.

The origin of semlor dates back to ancient Rome, where people enjoyed bread soaked in milk. The word "semla" comes from the Latin "semila," meaning fine flour. Over time, this tradition made its way to Germanic countries, and from there to Scandinavia.

Semlor have been known in Scandinavia since the 16th century, and they were brought to Sweden by Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg. One of the biggest fans of these buns was King Adolf Frederick. However, they did not do him much good; after a hefty meal, he consumed a large quantity of semla, suffered stomach cramps, and a few hours later, he passed away. It's no wonder gluttony is considered a cardinal sin.

In the past, semlor were served in deep plates with warm milk in Sweden. Now, these buns are more popular than ever and are enjoyed from Christmas until Easter. They are one of the symbols of Swedish cuisine.

Ingredients:

              
• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 0.5 oz of fresh yeast
• 2/3 cup of warm milk
• 0.5 cup of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 0.25 cup of sugar
• A pinch of salt

Filling:

            
• 1 cup of ground almonds
• 0.5 cup of butter
• 0.5 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of marzipan (optional)
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Preparation method:

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm milk, add a tablespoon of flour, and set aside in a warm place for about 15 minutes until it starts to rise.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, and egg yolk. Knead into a smooth dough.
3. Cover with a cloth and set aside in a warm place to rise for about 1-1.5 hours.
4. In a separate bowl, mix ground almonds, butter, powdered sugar, egg, and marzipan. Blend or crush into a smooth paste.
5. Divide the risen dough into portions, form buns, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Set aside for 10-15 minutes under a cloth to let them rise a bit more.
7. Brush them with a beaten egg.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes until the buns are golden.
9. Once cooled, cut the buns in half. Spread a thick layer of almond paste on the bottom half, then add whipped cream.
10. Cover with the top half and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Delicious buns with almond filling and whipped cream are now ready. Enjoy!