With the growing number of Scandinavian-Americans in the country, it’s no surprise that certain states have imbibed some of their classic pastries into their culture. Here are the top treats you should try in Alabama, Georgia, Connecticut, or Georgia!
Tebirkes
The traditional Danish pastry, tebirkes, combine milk, sugar, salt, flour, yeast, eggs, butter, marzipan, and poppy seeds. The butter, marzipan, and sugar are mixed until they are creamy and smooth. The dough is rolled out and spread with marzipan butter, then folded over and allowed to expand. Finally, the poppy seeds are sprinkled on top for a distinctive flavor.
The pastry is coated with a thin layer of egg and sprinkled with poppy seeds before being placed in the oven. The tebirkes emerge from the oven with a crunchy texture and a hint of nuttiness. Enjoy them at either warm or cool temperatures.
Hons i asparges
These tasty little treats are made with a flaky puff pastry crust filled with a creamy mixture of chicken and asparagus. This dish has been around since the early 1900s and is usually served as an appetizer, a light main course, or part of a big holiday spread. They can have different vegetables added to them and can be served either warm or cold.
Klenät
The klenät is a favorite of many Northern Europeans. It is a deep-fried pastry made of yeasted dough, often enriched with various liqueurs. It is shaped into a trapezoid and then fried until it is a golden, crunchy delight. It is usually served fresh and dusted with cinnamon and sugar during Christmas. Enjoy this unique and tasty treat!
Kardemommeboller
Kardemommeboller is one of the traditional Swedish pastries made with milk, butter, yeast, sugar, flour, crushed cardamom seeds, and salt. The milk is heated and combined with butter until all ingredients are melted. This mixture is then combined with yeast, sugar, flour, cardamom, and salt to form a dough. The dough is knotted and baked until golden and fluffy. The finished pastry is a sweet and aromatic cardamom bun.
Smultring
Smultring is a type of Norwegian doughnut usually eaten around Christmas. It is made from a thick dough flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, lemon or orange zest, and sometimes liqueurs. They have a ring shape and are usually fried in lard, making them small.
The ingredients of sugar, salt, cardamom, yeast, and flour are combined to form a stiff dough. This dough is left to rise, then rolled and twisted into knots. The knots are baked for a few minutes until golden and then brushed with butter while still warm.
Skolebrod
The traditional Norwegian treat of skolebrod, often eaten as part of a school lunch, has been popular among children for many years. The name comes from its past association with school days.
This classic Norwegian pastry combines butter, milk, yeast, sugar, flour, and cardamom for a unique and delicious flavor. The center is filled with a creamy custard made from milk, cream, egg yolks, sugar, cornflour, and vanilla. These tasty treats are then finished off with a sprinkling of desiccated coconut.
In Closing
Remember these names the next time you find yourself in a Scandinavian bakery: tebirkes, hons i asperges, klenät, kardemommeboller, and skolebrod. You might impress the staff and yourself once you take a bite out of these delectable treats!
Order Fresh from Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri
Our bakery offers a variety of delicious Norwegian baked goods and pastries in CO! Our specialties are cinnamon rolls, school rolls, raisin rolls, sweet cardamom rolls, and sunshine rolls. We also have freshly baked bread and cakes. Ours has a unique Norwegian flavor that you won't find anywhere else. Come and try our delicious treats today! Drop by our address (6770 S Yosemite St, Centennial, CO 80112) or call 720-287-2968!