Fun Scandinavian-inspired food for the holidays
Discover fun and easy Scandinavian-inspired foods for the holidays, from saffron buns to heart-shaped cookies. Learn how to bring Nordic flavors into your kitchen and create meaningful traditions with family, including products from Scandinavian Hearts.
The holiday season in Scandinavia is a time of candlelight, cozy gatherings, and baking traditions that warm the soul. From ginger cookies to saffron buns, these Nordic treats are not just about taste—they're about heritage, heart, and togetherness.
Whether you're looking to reconnect with your Scandinavian roots, teach your children about Nordic culture, or simply enjoy something new and delicious, this guide is packed with fun Scandinavian-inspired holiday recipes you can make at home.
We’ll also answer top trending questions, share creative ways to use our Scandinavian Hearts products in your baking traditions, and help you build lasting memories around the kitchen table.
Let’s bake some joy. ❄️
Top Questions: What Are People Asking?
Here are some of the most common questions people ask about Scandinavian holiday baking and recipes—plus our answers!
What are traditional Scandinavian holiday treats?
Scandinavian holiday treats include:
Lussekatter (Swedish saffron buns)
Pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies)
Kransekake (Norwegian almond ring cake)
Fattigmann (Norwegian fried cookies)
Risgrynsgröt (Swedish rice pudding)
What desserts do they eat in Sweden for Christmas?
Swedes love baking ginger cookies, saffron buns, and cardamom-infused pastries for Christmas. Rice porridge with cinnamon and sugar is often served on Christmas Eve, with a hidden almond in one bowl—whoever finds it will have good luck!
Are Scandinavian holiday recipes hard to make?
Many are surprisingly easy and perfect for baking with kids! While traditional versions can be more complex, there are simple and fun adaptations for home bakers looking to enjoy the experience and flavors.
7 Fun Scandinavian-Inspired Foods to Try This Holiday Season
From cookies to festive drinks, these ideas are perfect for celebrating like a Scandinavian—whether it’s your first time or a beloved family tradition.
1. Lussekatter – Swedish Saffron Buns
Origin: Sweden
Holiday: St. Lucia Day (Dec 13)
These beautiful golden buns are flavored with saffron and shaped like an S. They’re traditionally served on St. Lucia Dayas a symbol of light during the dark season.
Ingredients:
Warm milk, butter, yeast
Sugar, salt, flour
Ground saffron (soaked in a teaspoon of vodka or milk)
Raisins (for decoration)
2. Pepparkakor – Swedish Ginger Cookies
Origin: Sweden
Holiday: Christmas
Pepparkakor are crisp, thin ginger cookies often shaped into hearts, stars, or reindeer. They’re fun to decorate and ideal for gifting.
Ingredients:
Butter, sugar, molasses
Flour, baking soda
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom
3. Kransekake – Norwegian Almond Cake Tower
Origin: Norway
Holiday: Christmas, weddings, special occasions
This striking ring cake is made from almond paste and powdered sugar, stacked into a tower.
Ingredients:
Almond flour or almond paste
Egg whites
Powdered sugar
4. Risgrynsgröt – Swedish Christmas Rice Porridge
Origin: Sweden
Holiday: Christmas Eve
A creamy rice porridge topped with cinnamon sugar. Hide one blanched almond in the pot—whoever finds it is said to marry next or have good luck!
Ingredients:
Short grain rice
Whole milk
Butter, salt, sugar
Cinnamon sticks
Blanched almond (1 per pot)
🧡 Family idea: Enjoy as a cozy breakfast in your holiday PJs, and pair with Anna and the Woven Hearts for storytime.
5. Glögg – Scandinavian Mulled Wine
Origin: Sweden, Denmark, Norway
Holiday: Advent through Christmas
A festive, spicy mulled wine perfect for grown-up gatherings.
Ingredients:
Red wine
Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon
Orange peel, sugar
Optional: vodka, almonds, raisins
6. Lingonberry Sparkler (Non-Alcoholic)
Perfect for: Kids and festive brunches
Ingredients:
Lingonberry juice or syrup
Sparkling water or Sprite
Orange slices or rosemary for garnish
Quick Instructions:
Fill glass halfway with juice, top with sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh herbs or orange wedge.
🧃 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Serve with Scandinavian Placemats for a fun Nordic-themed table.
7. Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies (With a Nordic Twist)
Why we love it: These sweet, simple cookies can be made with kids and decorated with Scandinavian symbols like hearts, snowflakes, and stars.
Ingredients:
Classic sugar cookie dough
Royal icing
Food coloring (red, white, soft blue)
Heart-shaped cookie cutters
Build a Scandinavian Holiday Baking Tradition
Scandinavian baking isn’t just about food—it’s about storytelling, love, and legacy.
Here’s how to make it special:
Make It a Family Event
Choose one day to bake each week in December. Turn on holiday music, light candles, and invite your kids or friends to help.
Pair It With Storytime
After baking, cozy up and read Anna and the Scandinavian Hearts or Anna and the Dala Horse. These stories introduce children to traditions in a heartfelt, accessible way.
Final Thoughts: Baking Joy, One Heart at a Time
Scandinavian baking isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.
It’s about the smell of spices, the sound of laughter, and the taste of something made with love. Whether you’re baking your first pepparkakor or hosting a Lucia Day brunch, you’re creating a memory your family will cherish for years.
From our family at Scandinavian Hearts to yours—may your holidays be full of light, warmth, and delicious tradition.
With heart,
Wendy Jensen
Founder, Scandinavian Hearts