Free Fika: The Art of The Swedish Coffee Break, with Recipes for Pastries, Breads, and Other Treats by Anna Brones, Johanna Kindvall Page A

prinsesstårta (see below ).
     
    PRINSESSTÅRTA
    The Swedish prinsesstårta (princess cake) is indicative of celebration, be it a birthday, a name day, or any other special event. It’s a delicious sponge cake, layered with whipped cream and raspberry jam, then covered in green marzipan. Often there is a marzipan rose on top. It’s not the easiest of cakes to make at home (although in Sweden you can buy the green marzipan in the baking section of grocery stores and assemble the cake at home), so it’s very common to buy a slice from the local konditori. Buying a slice of prinsesstårta, or even a whole cake, boxed up and wrapped in a ribbon, is a sign that you’re about to celebrate; and when someone brings the box to you, you know it’s a special day.

    fettisdagen — FAT TUESDAY
    No one can resist Swedish bakery windows in the late winter and early spring. This is the time of the semla , a glorious combination of a sweet flour bun, almond paste, and whipped cream. Traditionally made for Fettisdagen, Fat Tuesday, semlor can nowadays be found in Swedish cafés and bakeries all through the early months of the year, from the beginning of the New Year through the end of March.
    midsommar — MIDSUMMER
    In a country that is dark and cold for much of the year, it should come as no surprise that the Swedes like to celebrate the sun. As such, the tradition of midsommar, celebrating the summer solstice, is as important to Swedes as Christmas and Easter. At midsommar, the longest day of the year, it barely gets dark, and in the north of Sweden, the sun doesn’t even set. This leaves room for an all-day and all-night party. Many towns and communities host a day full of events, including dancing around the midsommarstång , similar to a maypole, to traditional Swedish songs.
    Then comes the food. Most Swedes host or attend some sort of a dinner party, held around a long table outside, even if it’s chilly. Pickled herring and new potatoes are served in abundance, and the aquavit and beer flow freely.
    Then comes the dessert, an assortment of the best that the season has to offer. The cakes and cookies take a festive form, much like at Christmas, and the treats that you find on the table aren’t those of the everyday. The first and foremost midsommar dessert dish is strawberriesserved with a bowl of whipped cream. Those who have time may bake a jordgubbstårta (strawberry cake), layering a sponge cake with the whipped cream and strawberries. But if you aren’t in the mood to serve a cake, we recommend a batch of Ginger Meringues with strawberries and a little whipped cream. You’ll also want to have a round of strong coffee to get you through the nightlong affair.
    födelsedag — BIRTHDAY
    A classic Swedish birthday party, called kalas , almost always involves some sort of tårta, be it a prinsesstårta or other beautiful torte layered with whipped cream. If you’re lucky, there will be an assortment of cookies and candies as well. Swedish birthday cakes and tortes always feature whipped cream in lieu of the sugary frosting popular in other parts of the world. Even when the party is too big and there’s no time to make a cake, whipped cream still manages to make its way into the picture, in the form of marängsviss , meringues topped off with whipped cream and chocolate sauce to make the ultimate Swedish sundae.
    jul — CHRISTMAS SEASON
    In the midst of a cold and dark winter, December is a monthlong excuse to warm up with good food and drink. Christmas celebrations and preparation happen throughout December, and there are plenty of moments to celebrate. Just as the seven kinds of cookies are essential to an official cookie platter, julbak (Christmas baking) is a must during December. EvenSwedes who rarely get out the mixing bowls try their hand at a pepparkaka or two this time of year. The smell of spices is indicative of the season, and as you sit in a warm kitchen in front of a plate of Christmas cookies with anAdvent