The Art of Fika

I have spent a considerable amount of time in Sweden - my boyfriend is Swedish - and one of my favorite things about Swedish food culture is the Fika. Fika is a Swedish word that is difficult to directly translate into English, but roughly means 'coffee break'. Swedes love to Fika. They Fika at all times of day, they Fika when guests come over, they meet friends for Fika, you name it and they will find some way to add Fika!

Fika is more than a simple coffee break, it is actually a social institution. The Fika is not necessarily quick - in fact, Fikas can often last hours. There are some essential features of a Fika (according to my own observations):

1. Usually coffee, tea, juice or soda is served (but almost always coffee or tea)
2. Some little treat is also served - usually sweet
3. People - friends, family, co-workers

Fikas often take place between, before or after meals (in some cases all of the above). A classic sweet treat served at Fika (and at cafes throughout Sweden) is the Kanelbulle. A kanelbulle is the Swedish version of the cinnamon roll - although not quite as sweet as its American cousin. These buns range in size from your basic small individual roll to gargantuan rolls the size of my head. My very favorite roll is found in the city of Uppsala - which is a university town north of Stockholm. Uppsala also happens to be where the botanist and scientist Karl von Linne lived and worked. He too loved the Kanelbulle and now in his honor every cafe in Uppsala boasts the Linnebulle. These buns are huge. And delicious. They are much more bread-like and are laced with cardamom and cinnamon. These big beautiful buns are then topped with pearl sugar - which you find a top many Swedish treats.
(I found this picture on wikimedia.org)


In the U.S. it is difficult to find anything close to the Swedish Kanelbulle, but if you happen to be in New York city the Svenska kyrkan, or Swedish Church, in Midtown Manhattan has one great kanelbulle (the recipe is TOP secret). These buns are medium-sized buns and are much more buttery than the Linnebulle. They remind me of the homemade kanelbulle I have had in Sweden. And the best part is they are cheap - for $3 you can have coffee and a bun. If you want to check it out, the Swedish Church is located at 5 E. 48th street between 5th and Madison avenues.

For those of you who are not in New York, don't fret! Some of the best Kanelbulle are those made at home!!! I have experimented with several recipes and have managed to produce some decent buns. I have even been able to find pearl sugar - some specialty stores carry it and you can also find it at Ikea.

Recipe:
(this recipe is metric - it is authentic and I am translating it so bear with me)
Buns:
150 g Butter or margarine (1 stick plus 2.5 T)
5 dl Milk (approx 2cups)
50g (wet yeast) or 1 packet active dry yeast
1 dl sugar (approx 1/2cup)
1/2 t salt
2 t Cardamom
850g Flour ( 3 3/4 cup)

Filling:
100g room temperature butter ( a little less than 1 stick)
1 dl sugar (approx 1/2cup)
2 T cinnamon

Topping:
1 egg, beaten
Pearl Sugar

Directions: Melt butter. Add milk and heat until "finger warm" (37C/98.6F). In a large mixing bowl empty yeast packet then pour warm milk/butter mixture over and gently stir. Add sugar, salt and cardamom. Gradually stir in flour (saving a little for rolling out the dough). Once all the flour is incorporated work the dough by hand for about 10 minutes (5 minutes for machine) until smooth, soft and stretchy. Let dough rise for about 30 minutes, then punch it down adn shape into 4 balls. Roll out each ball to a nice sized rectangle. While the dough is rising, mix the ingredients for the filling. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll up the dough. Slice the dough into 1-2 inch sections. Place in paper cupcake cups evenly spaced on a cookie sheet. Let them rise for another 40 minutes. Brush the tops with a beaten egg and sprinkle with pearl sugar.
Bake at 400 (200C)
For 5-8 minutes


A fun fact: October 4th is Kanelbulle day.

Other delicious Fika treats include
Chokladboll, Dammsugare (punchrulle), Pepparkakor
I will add more about these treats later.....