A Short History of the Semla Print

A semla, or semlor if more than one, is a sweet dessert bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream, and topped with powdered sugar. It is sometimes eaten with warm milk. The tasty dessert is served during Winter and especially on Fat Tuesday (aka Fettisdagen). Swedes eat about five a year. The tradition started as a way to clear the home of sweet foods before Lent. Fasting was a common observance during Lent, and getting rid of rich, sugary foods made it easier. Fasting is no longer connected to the season leading up to Easter in Sweden, but the tradition of eating semlor remains. If you are feeling adventurous, you can create your own semlor at home with this Americanized recipe.