Kladdkaka (gooey chocolate cake)– A Swedish Classic

Today, I want to share a true Swedish favorite – kladdkaka! This wonderfully gooey chocolate cake is loved by both young and old in my family, and it's perfect for everything from family gatherings to a simple weekday treat. It’s one of those desserts that always feels a bit indulgent, even though it’s so easy to make. 

This weekend, I made a kladdkaka that we served with vanilla ice cream with chocolate, and red currants. The best part was that the currants were freshly picked from my garden – tart, fresh, and full of flavor. The combination of the sweet, warm kladdkaka, the cold vanilla ice cream, and the tangy currants was absolutely divine. This is a dessert I’ll remember for a long time!

Ingredients:

150 g butter

3 dl sugar

2 eggs

1.5 dl flour

4 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla sugar

A pinch of salt

Method:

1.Preheat the oven to 175°C.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and let it cool slightly. Whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, vanilla sugar, and salt. Stir gently. Add the melted butter and mix until the batter is smooth. 

4. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan, about 24 cm in diameter. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15–20 minutes. The cake should be gooey in the center when you take it out.

5. Let the cake cool slightly before serving with vanilla ice cream with chocolate, and red currants.

The kladdkaka was absolutely delicious, especially with the fresh currants from the garden. Their tartness complemented the rich chocolate so beautifully. It’s these little touches that can make a simple cake feel extra special. 

 

Kladdkaka is one of Sweden's most beloved desserts, known for its rich chocolate flavor and delightfully gooey texture. It’s easy to bake but results in a luxurious cake perfect for both everyday fika and special occasions.

The History of Kladdkaka

The origins of kladdkaka are somewhat mysterious, with several theories surrounding its creation. The most popular theory suggests that it emerged in Sweden during the 1970s, possibly inspired by the French chocolate fondant or the American brownie, both of which share a similar gooey texture.

What makes kladdkaka unique is that it contains no baking powder, meaning it doesn’t rise like a traditional cake. This results in the dense, fudgy center that defines the dessert. It's this characteristic that has made kladdkaka such a beloved treat in Sweden.

 In recent decades, kladdkaka has become a staple of Swedish fika culture. Its simplicity and rich flavor make it a favorite for many, and it can be customized in various ways – with nuts, fruit, or even a touch of coffee in the batter.

 Kladdkaka may have a mysterious history, but its role in Swedish homes is undeniable.

Enjoy!

Fruit Patter with Melted Chocolate

A Dessert to Remember

This fruit platter with melted chocolate is more than just a dessert—it’s a fun way to enjoy fresh, seasonal fruits with friends. It’s perfect for any occasion as well. I've served it when hosting a casual get-together, at dinner party, or when I simply want to treat myself to something sweet.

Ingredients:

• For the Fruit Platter:
• 1 cup strawberries
• 2 bananas, sliced into thick rounds
• 1 bunch of grapes, separated into small clusters
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup raspberries 
• milk chocolate, broken into pieces
• Any other favorite fruits (blueberries, apples, mango, etc.

• For the Melted Chocolate:
  • 1 cup dark or milk chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (optional, for a smoother consistency)

Instructions:

1. Wash and prepare all the fruits. Arrange them on a large platter, grouping similar fruits together for a colorful and visually appealing display.

2. In a heatproof bowl, add the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Melt the chocolate using one of the following methods:

- Microwave: Heat the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it.

- Double Boiler: Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water) and stir the chocolate until it melts completely. If you prefer a slightly thinner consistency, stir in the heavy cream or milk until well combined.

3. Pour the melted chocolate into a small bowl or fondue pot and place it next to the fruit platter. 

4. Provide skewers, forks, or toothpicks for easy dipping. Gather your friends around the platter and enjoy dipping the fresh fruits into the warm chocolate. The combination of textures and flavors is sure to delight everyone.

 Enjoy!

A Perfect Friday Afternoon: Homemade Chocolate Muffins

 A Perfect Friday Afternoon: Early Finish, Leftover Pasta, and Homemade Chocolate Muffins

Fridays are always special, but there's something magical about finishing work early and having extra time to spend with the kids. Today was one of those days. Instead of rushing through the evening routine, we decided to make the most of the afternoon by baking together, as I promised kids a lovely dessert.

Leftover pasta was on the menu for dinner, which meant more time for fun and less time in the kitchen. The simplicity of leftover pasta is something I always appreciate. It's warm, comforting, and quick, leaving room for creativity in the kitchen. As we sat down for dinner, the kids devoured the pasta, knowing that dessert was the main event of the evening.

 Baking Chocolate Muffins Together

What’s better than chocolate muffins? Chocolate muffins made with love by little hands. Before dinner, we gathered in the kitchen to whip up a batch of homemade chocolate muffins. The kids were thrilled to help, and it turned into a mini baking lesson. They couldn’t wait for it!

For the recipe, I used the ICA`s recipes but made a few changes.  

Easy Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients:

  2 dl all-purpose flour

1 dl unsweetened cocoa powder

2 dl granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 dl milk

½ cup melted butter

1 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla sugar

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C) and line a muffin tin with muffin cups.  

 2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This is a great step for the kids to help with. They love watching the ingredients come together!

 3. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. You don’t want to overmix.

 4. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full. The kids enjoyed taking turns with this, even if a bit of batter ended up on the counter!

 5. Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

 Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. But let's be honest, we couldn’t wait that long. We quickly ate the pasta, as the kids insisted on having them warm, with a glass of cold milk.

The muffins were moist, rich, and bursting with chocolate flavor—exactly what we needed. The kids were so proud of their creation, and I loved watching them enjoy making and eating them. 

Enjoy!

Homemade hot chocolate

When you thought that it is time to remove all winter clothes and shoes, the weather suprices us with 20 cm of snow during the night. Oh well, the smile on toddler's face in the morning when he looks out through the window, so worth it. But I had to treat myself to a nice hot cup of homemade chocolate. Super easy!!

Ingredients:

Roughly 1-2 dl double cream

4-5 dl milk

2 tbsp kakao powder

2 tsp sugar

Season of choose: I chose a sprinkle of vanilla powder and ground cardamom

Method:

Mix everything in a sauce pan on medium heat until well mixed and piping hot. Don't let it boil though. Gives enough chocolate for two cups in case you like to share it. 

I enjoyed it with a nice cheese sandwich ;)

Enjoy!

Swedish chocolate balls or rolls, chokladbollar - recipe

When the craving for something sweet struck today, my kids and I found ourselves without any treats at home. But fear not, for I always keep baking ingredients stocked in the pantry! So, we embarked on the delightful adventure of making Swedish chocolate balls together. These delicious treats require no baking—just your hands and a bit of messy fun with the little ones!

Ingredients:
2 dl oats
50- 75 g butter
3 tbsp cacao powder
2 tsp vanilla powder
2 tbsp water or instant coffee
1 dl sugar
Sugar pearls, shredded coconut or nuts of your choice for coating

Method:

1. Begin by combining all the dry ingredients in a bowl, mixing well.

2. Add the room temperature butter to the bowl, breaking it into chunks with your hands. Mix everything together until well combined. The mixture will become greasy and messy, but that's all part of the fun!

3. Take a portion of the dough and roll it into a round ball. Dip the ball into sugar pearls or your preferred coating, such as shredded coconut or chopped nuts. In Sweden, coconut is a popular choice for coating, but feel free to get creative with almond shavings or finely chopped nuts.

These Swedish chocolate balls are a delightful treat that's easy to make and even more enjoyable to eat. Perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings, whether you're young or young at heart!

Enjoy!

(Kladdkakemuffins) brownie muffin - recipe

A nice and easy recipe of brownie muffins that are soft inside. Excellent activity to do with children when it's cold and rainy outside.

Ingredients
1 dl liquid margerine or butter (100g melted butter)
2,5 dl sugar
2 dl flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla sugar
3 tbsp cacao powder
2 eggs

Muffin paperforms

Metod
1. Mix the eggs and sugar well until it is well mixed and fluffy. Add the rest of ingrediens and lastly fold in the flour. Add a tbsp in each muffin form. I got 20 muffins.

2. Preheat the oven 180 degrees and bake them for 8-10 min. They will start to rise and sink in the middle. That is when you should take them out. Also the less time you keep them in the oven means they will be more gooy and soft inside. They should cool covered by a tea towel or muslin cloth to stay soft.

They have a rich chocolate taste and soft, fudgy texture. They are best served with some whipped cream on top. This is perfect to bake with children.

Enjoy!

Swedish Chocolate Balls (chokladbollar) - Recipe

Chokladbollar

In Sweden, you will hardly find anybody who does not like chocolate balls. This treat is one of the first dishes we learn in our cooking classes in school and usually the one that all children love to make. Why? It is easy, takes no time and it is chocolate!

I made these for work as a Swedish treat and everyone loved it. So I thought I will share the recipe here. In Sweden we call them "chokladbollar". Since you basically just mix all the ingredients and roll them into round shapes, you can make them bite-sized or into giant balls. I remember during high school, me and a close friend would buy one chocolate ball and share it as it was so big, in our favorite Cafe. Serving it with a nice cup of coffee or tea is simply delicious. I love the pearl sugar around the balls, however if it is hard to find it here in UK, you can use desiccated coconut to garnish them. I usually buy my pearl sugar in one of the Scandinavian shops in London, for instance the shop Totally Swedish.

Serves: ca 20 chocolate balls

Time: max 20 minutes

Ingredients

150 g butter

2,5 dl sugar

1 tsp vanilla paste or 1,5 tsp vanilla extract

4,5 tbsp cocoa powder

4 dl oats

1,5 dl desiccated coconut

3 tbsp cold instant coffee (if you do not like the coffee taste, you can use water instead)

Garnish with pearl sugar or desiccated coconut.

Method:

1- Mix the butter and sugar well, make sure that the butter is not too soft otherwise the batter will be runny. Give it a taste and see if more oats or sugar should be added.

2- Mix in the rest of the ingredients and roll them to rounds shapes.

3- Roll the balls in pearl sugar or desiccated coconut. Make sure they are well coated. They should be refrigerated for 15 minutes to set, before eating them.

Enjoy!