Do you love waffles? In Scandinavia, there is an entire day devoted to celebrating and eating waffles. March 25th is known as Våffeldagen or Waffle Day and gives Scandinavians an excuse to make some fresh Swedish waffles, served with coffee, jam, and cream.
Learn more about Våffeldagen in Scandinavia and how to make Swedish waffles on our Scandinavian Shoppe blog. And if you’re looking for Scandinavian gifts to help you celebrate Våffeldagen in style, make sure you visit our shop!
Våffeldagen in Scandinavia
Våffeldagen is also the Feast of the Annunciation which is the day that the archangel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to tell her she would become the mother of the son of God. For this feast, Scandinavians typically eat waffles and, over time, the celebration of Våffeldagen emerged.
Part of the reasons that Våffeldagen shifted from a religious celebration to WaffleDay was that, in Swedish, Vårfrudagen (meaning “Our Lady’s Day”) sounds similar to the word Våffeldagen (or Waffle Day) so Swedes began calling the day Våffeldagen and celebrating with a plate full of Swedish waffles.
While you can celebrate Waffle Day with your favorite type of waffle, Swedish waffles are often distinguished by their unique flower shape. As you peel the waffles (or petals) apart, you are left with the shape of a heart. These Swedish waffles are also thinner than traditional or American waffles, making them crispy.
Whether you’re celebrating Våffeldagen — or looking for a delicious recipe for Mother’s Day in a few months — learn how to make these Swedish waffles for yourself! We’ve found a simple Swedish waffle recipe, but the recipe for authentic Swedish waffles varies from recipe to recipe. In fact, some traditional recipes include snow as an ingredient, perhaps because the coolness of the snow would leave you with a cold batter that gives you better-tasting, crispy waffles.
Simple Swedish Waffle Recipe
Whether you live in a Scandinavian country or somewhere else, give yourself a little extra time in the morning to enjoy some waffles this upcoming Waffle Day.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
First, beat the eggs and sugar together in an electric mixer on high until you get a thick and pale mixture. Next, add the flour and cardamom and mix together well before adding the sour cream. Now fold your melted butter into that mixture.
Once your waffle iron is preheated, brush on some melted butter and pour in your batter. Cook waffles until they are golden brown, or when your waffle iron says they’re finished.
The most important part of this is to find a heart-shaped waffle iron.
Now comes the fun part! Use a fork to remove your waffle and top with your favorite toppings. In Scandinavia, common toppings include jam, fruit, and whipped cream. Also serve your Swedish waffles with a cup of coffee!
View the whole recipe to make your own waffles.
Pair Våffeldagen With Our Scandinavian Gifts
Now that you know how to make your own Swedish waffles, all you need is a little piece of Scandinavia to help you celebrate. Add a Swedish dishcloth to your kitchen for a pop of color or shop the other Scandinavian gifts we have available at Scandinavian Shoppe!