Swedish Semla

A Semla is a traditional Swedish pastry, dating back to the 16th century.  Semla is a sweet bun filled with almond paste and whipping cream.

Buns are baking in the oven!

Traditionally, the Semla was only eaten on Fat Tuesday, but today one can find Semlas available in bakeries and stores from Christmas until Easter.  It was originally served in a bowl of warm milk, and some still prefer to eat them like this.   I don't ever recall seeing anyone eating it this way though.

"Semlor" - Finished Product!

My kids are well aware of this Swedish tradition and would be very disappointment if I didn't bake semlor for Fat Tuesday.

The same basic dough is used for Cinnamon Buns, so I made a few of those as well..

"Bulle" - Swedish Cinnamon Buns

Interesting Semla Fact: (sweden.se)
King Adolf Fredrik died on February 12, 1771, after consuming a luxurious banquet rounded off with 14 servings of hetvägg, semla served in a bowl of warm milk.