Midsommartårta

Midsommartårta is a classic Swedish cake served on Midsommar. Midsommar, or midsummer in English (who could have guessed that), is a hugely popular and important holiday in Sweden.

Origin of Midsommar

Swedish Midsummer marks the arrival of the summer solstice, usually falling on the weekend closest to June 24th. It has its roots in pagan traditions and deeply intertwines with Swedish culture. The origins of Midsummer can be traced back to pre-Christian times when it was a fertility festival dedicated to the Norse god Freyr. Today, it combines ancient customs with Christian elements. It is also an occasion for many Swedes to gather with family and friends, holding a special place in their hearts as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration of the light and warmth of summer. The festivities include dancing around the maypole (a large decorated pole), wearing traditional folk costumes, singing traditional songs. , and There is also an abundance of food and drink, including pickled herring, new potatoes, and strawberries.

Midsommar Food

I like to think of Midsommar as kind of like summer Christmas. The food you eat at Midsummer and the food you eat at Christmas are very similar, with pickled herring being the most important element in both. It’s not a Swedish holiday without pickled herring.

Strawberries are also at their peak around this time and are synonymous with Midsommar for that reason. Swedes take great pride in the deliciousness of their strawberries.

Elderflower is another sweet flavor commonly found at Midsummer. Elder trees are covered in fragrant blossoms in mid-to-late June. The most common use for elderflower is making cordial. It is also used to decorate baked goods, like I have done today with the cake.

2023

This year, I will be enjoying a fairly small celebration. There will be 5 of us, and we will be celebrating with my friend and her family. I’ll be making some Swedish classics like köttbullar (Swedish meatballs), Janssons frestelse (Jansson’s temptation, an anchovy and potato casserole), and gravlax (cured salmon). Since it will only be a few of us, I wanted to make a cake that is simple but still very traditional.

Midsommartårta

This Midsommartårta is a classic one. The actual cake is sockerkaka, a classic Swedish cake reminiscent of American yellow cake. It is topped with a lightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and elderflower blossoms. It sounds really impressive, but honestly, it couldn’t be easier to make. Whether you celebrate Midsommar or are just looking for a lovely summer cake, you and your guests will surely enjoy this cake.

Print Recipe

Midsommartårta

This simple yet traditional Midsommartårta with made sockerkaka, vanilla whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and elderflower blossoms. Whether you’re celebrating Midsommar or seeking a delightful summer treat, this cake is exactly what you need.

Ingredients

Cake:

• 2 eggs
• 165 g sugar
• 130 g butter
• 40 g milk
• 170 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 25 g vegetable oil

Vanilla Whipped Cream:

• 1-2 deciliters dL cream
• 1 Tbsp powdered sugar optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or sugar

Assembly:

• 1-2 baskets of strawberries
• Elderflower blossoms or other edible flowers optional

Instructions

Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 185°C/370°F.
• Grease your cake mold thoroughly with oil.
• Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment and mix on high for 5 minutes.
• Add the eggs to the mixture. Whip on high for another 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl.
• Add half of the flour, and all of the baking powder and salt, to the batter. Gently mix just until combined.
• Add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the batter. Mix together gently until fully combined.
• Add the remaining half of the flour mixture and mix gently until fully incorporated, ensuring there are no streaks of milk or bits of flour left.
• Immediately pour the batter into the oiled cake mold and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.

Vanilla Whipped Cream:

• In a bowl, pour 1-2 deciliters of cream (adjust quantity based on desired thickness).
• Optionally, add powdered sugar for sweetness and vanilla extract or sugar for flavor.
• Whip the cream until it thickens and forms soft peaks.

Assembly:

• Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the whipped cream on top of it.
• Decorate the cake with fresh strawberries. Cut larger strawberries in half and leave smaller ones whole.
• Optionally, add elderflower blossoms or other edible flowers for a beautiful finishing touch.
• Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*If doubling or tripling the recipe, add half of the eggs, mix for 5 minutes, scrape the sides, then add the remaining eggs and mix for another 5 minutes.
*1-2 dL of cream equal about ½-1 cup of cream
*This cake batter can be easily doubled for a larger cake. Consider stacking two cakes on top of each other for a double-layered treat.
*Get creative with the decoration and personalize it according to your preferences.