Winter in Sweden is the coldest I have ever felt. With conditions that are similar to Alaska, a Swedish winter is bitterly cold with very little sunlight. The sun rises at ten a.m., stays close to the horizon, and sets by two in the afternoon. I know I had a hard time adjusting to the darkness and the indescribable cold during my first winter in Sweden. Swedes, however, find ways to bring light to the darkness and enjoy the winter months.
“Fika,” is central to Swedish culture. It is a Swedish verb meaning “to drink coffee.” In actuality, it’s a time of the day when people sit down with friends and family to relax over desserts and coffee or tea.
I came to learn that after a long day of school and being out in the cold, there was nothing better than coming home and warming up with a big mug of hot tea or coffee.
While the concept of “fika” may sound like an ordinary habit across cultures, to Swedes, fika, is almost like another daily meal. It is a must-have and is central to maintaining social ties.
Swedish teens will often invite their friends to come over for an afternoon or a late night fika. Gathering around a candle-lit table and conversing over sweets and beverages has a level of sophistication that I feel American culture is lacking.
Don’t get me wrong, while I love the grab-and-go mentality of coffee franchises like Starbucks and Caribou Coffee, I also appreciate the importance that Swedes place on taking time out of their busy schedules to unwind and catch up with loved ones.
Swedes are great hosts. They often will put on dinner parties, fikas and house parties for young people. They are extremely hospitable and will go out of their way to create the perfect experience for their guests.
At my house in Sweden, my host mother, sister and I would often spend a day baking Swedish desserts for upcoming fikas. Swedish desserts are quite unique and less sweet than American desserts. One very popular dessert, “kanelbullar,” meaning cinnamon buns in English, was a favorite at our house. They are less sweet than American cinnamon rolls, with less sugar and no frosting, but make the perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of tea.
Rolls Filling
1/4 lb. butter (1 stick) 1/4 lb butter (1stick)
2 c milk 1/2 c sugar
2 Tbsp yeast (2 packets) 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 – 2/3 c sugar Garnish
1 tsp ground cardamom 1 egg
about 5 1/2 c flour pearl sugar or crushed sugar cubes
Directions:
Heat milk to body temperature (drip a few drops on your wrist, like you’re testing a baby’s bottle). Add yeast to milk. Add 1 Tbsp of the sugar to the milk. Let stand five minutes.
In a large bowl, combine milk-yeast mixture with remaining ingredients – salt, remaining sugar, cardamom, and enough flour to make a smooth, elastic dough.
Cover, let rise in a warm place 30 minutes, or until doubled.
Punch down, knead, adding in a little more flour.
Roll dough out into a rectangle. Spread rectangle with soft butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll up. Cut into 3/4 inch (1-2 cm) slices. Place on greased baking sheets. Cover, let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Brush rolls with beaten egg and sprinkle with pearl sugar. Bake about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
A traditional Swedish sweet yeasty bread coiled around cinnamon-sugar filling served alongside coffee, the Scandinavian version of the sticky bun, only not so sticky.
Have your own Swedish fika with these delicious rolls, or simply make something you love and invite guests. Light some candles and cozy up with friends for an evening of relaxing and socializing. You will soon be feeling the wonderful “fika” feeling I came to love so much during those chilly winter days.