Fika: A Swedish Coffee Ritual that Feeds the Soul
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Fika is a Swedish tradition of coffee and amazingly delicious sweet treats. A custom that’s more about the gathering than it is the coffee. A Swedish occurrence that feeds the soul as well as the body.
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What is Fika?
It’s said that “Swedes prefer not to translate the word ‘fika.’ They don’t want it to lose significance and become a mere coffee break.” Yet, they say it’s one of the first Swedish words you’ll learning when visiting Sweden.
Fika is, essentially, taking coffee with a treat. But adherents say it’s more than that. It’s a state of mind.
It’s “an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika every day. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat.”
They call it a “Social Cup of Coffee.”
A tradition that “is much more than having a coffee. It is a social phenomenon, a legitimate reason to set aside a moment for quality time.” Others stress that relaxation also plays a tremendous part in the custom.
When Does Fika Happen?
Fika can happen at any time of the day. It can be savored at home, coffee shops, or work.
It’s about the gathering. The family, friends, neighbors, or people that matter. It’s about taking time, blocking out the noise of the day, and spending time with each other—a moment of relaxation and friendship.
As well as a warm cup of coffee and an exceedingly delicious treat.
What Do You Eat During Fika?
It’s stressed that “Accompanying sweets are crucial. Cinnamon buns, cakes, cookies, even open-faced sandwiches pass as acceptable fika fare. It comes as no surprise that Swedes are among the top consumers of coffee and sweets in the world – or that Swedes appreciate the good things in life.”
Sweets to Serve During Fika
Below are traditional Swedish recipes perfect for observing Fika.
Sweets to Serve During Fika
Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)
"Kanelbullar are beautiful, soft buns with a hint of cardamom and a delicate buttery cinnamon filling."
Swedish Princess Cake
"Swedish Princess Cake is a classic Scandinavian torte with layers of sponge cake, raspberry jam, vanilla custard, and whipped cream. It is traditionally dome-shaped and covered with a layer of sweet marzipan tinted green."
Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake (Kladdkaka)
"Kladdkaka (aka Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake) is one of Sweden’s most beloved (and easy) desserts and every chocolate lover’s dream come true! This version is also a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe that comes together quickly with pantry staples!"
Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe (Kanelbullar)
"This traditional Swedish kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) recipe is made with a perfectly soft and chewy cardamom dough, a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, and twisted into cute little knots."
Cinnamon buns
"Cinnamon buns are a classic at Swedish coffee parties. During the golden age of home baking, such parties turned into orgies of sweet yeast breads, small cookies, cookies with fillings, pastries and cakes. This tradition lives on in Sweden. If you are invited to someone’s home for coffee, you always get a cinnamon bun, a cookie or a piece of cake with it. And at cafés, dainty little cookies continue to compete with all those supersized American muffins."
Baking Through Fika: Strawberry Rulltårta
A simple jelly cake roll with strawberry filling. A perfect addition to Fika.
Cardamom Cream-Filled Bundt Cake Recipe
"This light-as-air cardamom cream-filled Bundt cake is an updated twist on a classic yeasted Swedish dessert called semlor. Every bite is like eating a frothy cloud, so you can have as many pieces as your heart desires."
Chokladbollar: Swedish Chocolate Balls {Vegan + GF}
"These Swedish chocolate balls don’t require any cooking or baking, and are ready in 15 minutes only. Made with simple ingredients you most probably have in your pantry already, those little balls are impressively easy to put together."
Swedish Butter Cookies (Mandel Kakor)
These cookies are "shaped and baked like biscotti, but one bite will tell you they are butter cookies. Cook longer for crisper cookies and shorter for chewier cookies."
Swedish Vanilla Hearts (Vaniljhjrtan)
"These lovely Swedish vanilla heart shaped cookies are perfect for a Valentine’s Day fika (Swedish word for coffee break) to enjoy with your other half. Or do like me, enjoy them anytime of the year, just when you fancy!"
Martas Skurna Chokladkakor (Swedish Sliced Chocolate Cookies)
An easy chocolate cookies perfect for Fika.
Swedish Pastry Ring, Swedish Tea Ring
"Swedish coffee bread or tea ring, a slightly sweet yeast bread flavored with cardamom, and either braided or made into a wreath-shaped pastry."
Make Traditional Swedish Egg Coffee for a Light, Clear Brew
"Swedish egg coffee is a unique way of brewing coffee with an egg. According to legend, this recipe originated en route from Sweden to America in the late 1800s. It has become a long tradition for Lutheran church gatherings of Scandinavian-Americans in the Midwest and was dubbed "church basement coffee" for the large quantity it usually makes. To make Swedish egg coffee, a raw egg is added to the coffee grounds before brewing the coffee, creating a potting soil-like mixture. Some diehard egg coffee lovers use the crushed eggshell as well, but that's optional."
Learn More About Fika
These books will inspire you.
- The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break: An illustrated lifestyle cookbook on the Swedish tradition of fika.
- The Little Book of Fika: The Uplifting Daily Ritual of the Swedish Coffee Break: A little book on the Swedish tradition of fika—the twice-daily coffee break—including facts, quotes, tips, and 20 sweet and savory recipes.
- The Scandi Kitchen: This book is an entertaining introduction to Scandinavian food and contains over 80 recipes to try at home, developed by Bronte Aurell, owner of the popular ScandiKitchen Cafe in London’s bustling West End.