Our favourite sweet treats
Few things beat the scent of freshly baked goods straight from the oven. Norwegians crave sweet, sticky, and soft treats anytime and anywhere. It's comfort food at its best. Here are some of our favourites that you won't want to miss!
1. Vaffel
These are not Belgian nor American, but Norwegian waffles, called vafler. Little heart shapes come together to create this highly popular treat. You can pull them apart and share the individual hearts or simply eat the whole thing yourself.
It's also important to pick a good topping. Norwegians love a bit of sour cream with jam, or butter with a few slices of traditional sweet brown cheese.
2. Bolle
An absolute classic, the Norwegian boller is a type of sweet bun. It may look plain, but don't judge a book by its cover, as this sweet dough is packed full of flavour. You'll also have no trouble finding one, as they can be bought at bakeries, supermarkets, corner shops, and even petrol stations.
3. Bolle 2.0
If the plain bolle isn't enough for you, don't worry, as there are so many more flavour combinations to try. You can have buns with raisins, chocolate chips, and even vanilla custard topped with fresh berries!
4. Skolebrød
Then there's bolle 3.0 (we really can't get enough of buns). Say hello to skolebrød. Filled with a gooey and delicious vanilla custard and decorated with icing and shredded coconut, skolebrød is definitely right up your alley if you have a sweet tooth.
5. Kanelsnurr, kanelbolle, kanelknute
If you fill the bolle dough with a healthy dose of sugar, cinnamon, and butter and give it a good twist, you'll end up with the beloved cinnamon buns known variously as kanelsnurr, kanelbolle, kanelknute, and skillingsbolle (in Bergen). The sugar makes them slightly crispy and caramelised on outside, while the inside is soft and fluffy.
6. Svele
The thick and fluffy pancake called svele can be enjoyed with a lot of the same toppings as waffles. They can also be enjoyed with a butter and sugar mix if you're feeling extra indulgent. If you happen to be travelling around Fjord Norway, they are invariably sold on ferries. Savour these sweet treats while taking in the views of the fjords.
7. Lefse
The thin and soft lefse is Norway's answer to the tortilla. This versatile wrap can be both savoury and sweet. If you haven't guessed it already, we also like to devour them with the classic sweet filling of sugar, butter, and cinnamon. You can also make a meal out of it by filling them with meat or salmon.
8. Bread
There is an everlasting love story between Norwegians and bread. We eat it pretty much every day and the topping options are endless. It's also perfect if you prefer healthier baked goods, as we love wholemeal bread loaded with ingredients such as seeds and nuts. There's little that can beat freshly baked bread with your favourite topping.