Våffeldagen: Swedish Waffle Day

Do you love waffles? In Scandinavia, there’s a whole day dedicated to celebrating them. March 25 is known as Våffeldagen — or Waffle Day — and it’s the perfect excuse to make fresh Swedish waffles served with coffee, jam, and cream.

In this blog, you’ll learn more about Våffeldagen in Scandinavia and how to make Swedish waffles. And if you want Scandinavian gifts to help you celebrate in style, be sure to check out our shop.

Våffeldagen in Scandinavia

Våffeldagen falls on the Feast of the Annunciation, the day when the archangel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to announce she would become the mother of the son of God. As the tradition evolved over time, eating waffles became a key part of the celebration.

The reason is a linguistic accident. In Swedish the day was Vårfrudagen, meaning “Our Lady’s Day.” Spoken in certain dialects it slurred toward Våfferdagen, which sounds almost exactly like Våffeldagen — Waffle Day. The mishearing stuck, and Swedes leaned into it.

There was a practical reason it caught on, too. Late March is when the days lengthen, hens start laying again and milk becomes plentiful. A holiday built on eggs, cream and butter lands exactly when a Scandinavian household suddenly has all three.

What Makes Swedish Waffles Special?

Swedish waffles are often recognizable by their flower-like shape. When you separate the waffles, or “petals,” you’re left with a heart shape. They’re also thinner than many traditional or American waffles, which helps them turn out crispy.

Whether you’re celebrating Våffeldagen now or planning ahead for Mother’s Day later this year, you can make Swedish waffles at home. We’ve included a simple Swedish waffle recipe, though there are variations from kitchen to kitchen. Some traditional recipes even include snow, on the theory that colder batter makes crispier 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 the waffles until they are golden brown, or until 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 it with your favorite toppings. In Scandinavia, common toppings include jam, fruit, and whipped cream. 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.