SHARE
COPY LINK

CAKE

Famous Swedish snack gets 2015 makeover

One of Sweden's best loved sweet treats, the semla bun, has been given a revamp in Stockholm, with huge queues outside a cafe selling the new flat, wrapped version of the snack, designed to be eaten on the go.

Famous Swedish snack gets 2015 makeover
The new semla wrap. Photo: Mattias Ljungberg/Tössebageriet
The Swedish cream bun (known as a 'semla' or 'semlor' if you're having a few), is a doughy ball that oozes out a sweet almond paste and is topped with oodles of whipped cream.
 
Traditionally eaten only on the day before Lent, it has become a staple in Sweden's cake-packed bakeries and coffee houses. But unless you want a creamy moustache, it isn't that easy to eat if you're walking along at the same time.
 
One bakery has come to the rescue of busy Stockholmers and invented a 2015 version of the bun – a tortilla-style paper-wrapped snack, which incorporates the bun's key ingredients, but is designed to be much less messy.
 
The move has led to long queues outside the store – Tössebageriet – with more than 500 of the new snacks (called 'Semmel-wrappen') sold on Tuesday alone.
 
“We realized that there was not really an easy way to eat the semla on the go, but now it is a lot easier if you are in a hurry and you don't really have time to sit down,” pastry chef Maria Strandlund told The Local.
 
“Usually we only sell 20 or 30 ordinary semla buns a day but the new wrap has really taken off.”
 
 

Traditional semlor buns. Photo: TT
 
Swedes have a long love affair with cakes and regular 'fika' coffee breaks are a staple in most people's work and social lives. Asked if the new speedy snack threatened the ritual, Strandland added: “Yes, Swedes do love to take their time over a fika, but there are also a lot of people who are always in a rush, especially in Stockholm.”
 
Online news stories about the snack were trending on some of Sweden top newspaper websites on Tuesday.
 
“All the ingredients are the same, the difference is that the dough is rolled out very thin and is then baked very lightly so it can be rolled up, and then we squirt cream and almond paste in it. It tastes a bit different…the bun does not become dry like with the ordinary bun,” inventor Mattias Ljungberg from Tössebageriet told Sweden's Metro newspaper.
 
“This is a product I believe in. You can eat it on the train, around town or sit in the car and eat it,” he added.
 
For the moment the bakery has no plans to sell the snack to stores or cafes in any other parts of Sweden.
For members

FOOD AND DRINK

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

For Eurovision visitors, students or anyone else looking to have a good evening without breaking the bank, Malmö has plenty of pubs – which is good news for beer drinkers, as alcohol is famously expensive in Sweden.

Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in Malmö

Most of these are around the Möllan neighbourhood, which is more or less the centre of the city’s nightlife.

A general tip if you’re buying a beer anywhere in Sweden and aren’t too bothered about the exact one you get is to order a stor stark, literally a “big strong one”. These are usually half a litre of beer at around 5.5 percent ABV, so bear that in mind if that’s more than what you’re used to.

Nobes

Technically known as Gamle Nobes Bodega, everyone in Malmö calls it Nobes. Originally opened in 1937, Nobes is the closest you’re going to get to a British-style pub or German Bierhalle, with its tiled floor and rustic dark wooden décor.

As far as food is concerned, Nobes has some of the best traditional Swedish food in Malmö, with its kålpudding cabbage casserole, served with gravy, potatoes, pickled cucumber and lingonberry jam a must (it’s better than it sounds, we promise).

They have a dart board and sometimes have live music, and you can choose from a range of draft or bottled beers, ciders and wines.

Expect to pay a minimum of 60 kronor for a beer and around 160 kronor for food.

Address: Kristianstadsgatan 36

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm-midnight, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat noon-1am and Sun noon-midnight

Ölkaféet

This is one of the most popular pubs in the Möllan neighbourhood, and that’s not just because it’s the unofficial supporters bar of the local football team, Malmö FF.

They’re cheap and cheerful, with reasonably priced pub grub, a heated outdoor seating area with views over the Möllan square and football matches on the TV, if that’s your kind of thing.

They even have a small library, a gallery wall with works by local artists, and board games like backgammon, checkers and chess, which you can borrow.

If there are no seats (it can get busy on the weekend), Vegan Bar next door is a good alternative, even for non-vegans.

A standard 50cl beer (veckans öl or “beer of the week”, despite the fact it hasn’t changed in years) costs around 65 kronor, with a burger costing around 140 kronor.

Address: Södra Skolgatan 43 – or just walk to the Möllevångstorget square and look for the bright blue awnings.

Opening hours: All days 10am-1am

Rex Pizzeria

Rex, on Nobelvägen, is probably the best example of a classic Swedish pizzeria that you can find in Malmö.

A warning: leave any expectation of Italian-style pizzas at the door, as Rex is firmly in the Swedish-style fulpizza category.

Their pizzas, such as the Tropicana, with cheese, tomato, ham, banana and curry powder, almost make a Hawaiian pizza look tame – although you can get more normal pizza toppings too if banana and curry is a bit too wild for you. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, for groups with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Pizzas aside, Rex is also a popular pub with cheap drinks, shuffleboard and pool tables, and a nice outdoor serving area in summer. They often host quizzes, standup or other entertainment in their event room in the basement.

Beers cost around 60 kronor and pizzas range from 70 to 140 kronor.

Address: Nobelvägen 107

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 11am-1am, Sun-Mon 11am-11pm

Azalee

If you’re looking for a cheap bar which also provides the evening’s entertainment, Azalee’s your best bet.

This bar is a bizarre mix of casino, karaoke bar and pub, and an evening of karaoke here is equally as entertaining whether you’re getting up on stage yourself or just listening to the other guests get progressively worse at singing as the night goes on.

They offer classic pub fare at around 150-200 kronor and reasonably priced drinks.

Address: Claesgatan 8

Opening hours: Weds-Tors 4pm-1am, Fre-Sat 4pm-3am

Karaoke: Weds and Thurs, 8pm-1am, Friday and Saturday 8pm-3am

Blackjack Weds-Sat 6pm-close

Entry fee: 50kr after 11pm on weekends

Lion Bar

The picturesque Lilla Torg area of Malmö is not known for being cheap, but Lion Bar (a national chain) is an exception, offering a 40cl beer for under 40kr.

Food wise, they offer standard pub grub – nachos, buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, burgers and so on – with deals on some food items.

Unsurprisingly, the prices rise if you stray from the special offers, particularly if ordering cocktails or wine.

Address: Landbygatan 4

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-1am

SHOW COMMENTS