19 Scandinavian Desserts to Savor

Updated on Jan. 31, 2022

Craving Scandinavian desserts? These recipes show all the best that Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland have to offer including kringles, cookies and krumkake.

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1/19

Whipped Cream Krumkake

Total Time 1 hour
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Our hometown has a rich Norwegian culture. That heritage is evident during our annual Nordic Fest, where this classic krumkake recipe is king. Here’s your introduction to the timeless treat. —Imelda Nesteby, Decorah, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 1 krumkake: 81 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
2/19

Swedish Flop

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Swedish flop was one of my Gramma Esther’s favorites. Found mainly in the Chicago area, this combination of fluffy yeasted cake and buttercream is, like Esther herself, a showstopper. —Shauna Sever, Oak Park, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 510 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
3/19

Swedish Spice Cutouts

Total Time 1 hour 15 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My sister, Judith Landgren of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, brought this recipe with her when she came to the United States from Sweden in 1928.
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 119 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
4/19

Flaky Danish Kringle

Total Time 50 min
Servings 20 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This traditional yeast bread wonderfully reflects my Scandinavian heritage. Flaky layers of tender dough are flavored with almond paste. The unique sugar cookie crumb coating adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 121 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
5/19

Swedish Doughnuts

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: One day, my father got a hankering for doughnuts and asked me to make him some. I ended up trying these. Dad—and everyone else—loved the results. They come out so golden and plump. —Lisa Bates, Dunham, Quebec
Nutrition Facts: 1 doughnut: 125 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 235mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
6/19

Lingonberry-Cardamom Cake

Total Time 1 hour 40 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Our family is Scandinavian, and we love using almonds, cardamom and lingonberries in desserts, as in this cardamom cake. If lingonberry jam is difficult to obtain, you can use pureed cranberry sauce with a little lemon juice to get a similar sweet-tart flavor. Whipped cream is a perfect topping for this Scandinavian-inspired dessert. —Barbara Kvale, Cologne, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 404 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 398mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
7/19

Swedish Almond Rusks

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Not too sweet, these nutty, crunchy cookies go well with a cup of hot coffee…and travel well in care packages, too!
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 92 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
8/19

Aebleskiver

Total Time 25 min
Servings about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: Years ago, a friend returned from visiting her family in Denmark and brought back her family recipe for aebleskiver. After hearing her rave about the tasty Danish pancake balls sold in bakeries and at street markets there, I ordered an aebleskiver pan. I’ve been making them ever since. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Nutrition Facts: 4 pancake balls: 160 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 530mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
9/19

Cardamom Spritz

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: As far back as I remember, I have loved cardamom. My grandmother often added the spice to her baked goods. I usually make these cookies with a spritz press—and camel disk—that I found at a thrift shop. It reminds me of a time when I rode a camel in the desert while deployed with the Navy. Of course, any design will do! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 52 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
10/19

Crispy Norwegian Bows

Total Time 30 min
Servings about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been fixing these cookies for so long, I don’t recall where the recipe came from. They’re a “must” at our house.—Janie Norwood, Albany, Georgia
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 24 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
11/19

Swedish Apple Pie

Total Time 40 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This decadent apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 174 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
12/19

Swedish Creme

Total Time 20 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 440 calories, 32g fat (21g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
13/19

Swedish Butter Cookies

Total Time 35 min
Servings about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: It’s impossible to eat just one of these Swedish cookies. Naturally, they’re a favorite with my Swedish husband and children—but anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate this treat. My recipe is “well-traveled” among our friends and neighbors. —Sue Soderland, Elgin, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 47 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 38mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
14/19

Danish Pancakes

Total Time 40 min
Servings 20 filled pancakes
From the Recipe Creator: I came to North America from Denmark decades ago, and my mother used to make these pancakes for me and my siblings while growing up. Today, my children and grandchildren love these, so I often have to double the recipe.—Lise Thomson, Magrath, Alberta
Nutrition Facts: 2 filled pancakes (calculated without beries): 257 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
15/19

Swedish Cream Apple Rings

Total Time 45 min
Servings 2 rings (10 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator: My mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday… Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let’s you make the dough in advance so your morning won’t be hectic.—Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 290 calories, 12g fat (8g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
16/19

Swedish Christmas Rice Pudding

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 9 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Rice pudding is an old-fashioned dessert that is comforting and delicious. The creamy treat has a mild vanilla flavor.—Karla Larson, East Moline, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 199 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
17/19

Norwegian Chocolate Chip Cookies

Total Time 40 min
Servings 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My best friend, Amber, taught me how to make this classic Norwegian dessert. They are a great mash-up of a sugar and chocolate chip cookie. A pizza cutter is the best tool for cutting into slices after baking. —Bonnie Brien, Surprise, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 59 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 11mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
18/19

Pecan Kringle Sticks

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 kringles (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator: My family loves that the kringle is flaky and not too sweet—it just melts in your mouth. This makes a beautiful presentation on a cookie platter along with other holiday sweets. —Connie Vjestica, Brookfield, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 201 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
19/19

Scandinavian Pecan Cookies

Total Time 30 min
Servings 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: We enjoyed these rich, buttery cookies at a bed-and-breakfast in Galena, Illinois, and the hostess was kind enough to share her simple recipe. The pretty nut-topped treats are so special you could give a home-baked batch as a gift. —Laurie Knoke
DeKalb, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 60 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 26mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.