The best semla in Malmo
Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday… Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, depending on what you call it) means one thing in Sweden: semla! The traditional Swedish wheat bun is flavoured with cardamom, and filled with almond paste and whipped cream, and starts appearing in bakeries each January, in the lead-up to Fettisdag.
After experiencing several semla seasons in Malmo, I’ve now got a list to recommend of my favourites (and alternatives if the classic semla isn’t really for you!). Below is a short guide to where to find some of the best semla in Malmo!
Semla in Malmo, illustrated map by Megan McKean
Pâtisserie David — the go to for all things French (baguettes, eclairs, frangipane tart) but in the lead-up to semla day you can see the fresh semla being prepared from the windows outside. Racks and racks of perfectly piped cream, and fluffy buns ready for fika!
Bagaran och Bonden — delicious semla buns in two sizes; a mini version and a medium, with whole almond slivers mixed in the paste below the cream. The mini version is a great option if you’re feeling indecisive on your order; you can get a small semla and something else to go!
Nybergs Konditori — alongside the classic semla, Nybergs offers other flavours such as Nutella; chocolate hazelnut filling below the whipped cream, in place of the traditional almond paste
Saluhall, Chocolatte — If a bread-based treat isn’t your go-to, then perhaps a semla themed chocolate might be… almond and cream filled pralines in a coat of chocolate at Chocolatte
Bageri Leve — an all-vegan line-up,. but the semla is so creamy you’d never know the swirled-on topping is plant-based
Söderberg & Sara — a classic and cosy neighbourhood bakery, a perfect stop-in for a coffee and a bun on your Saturday morning walk
St Jakobs Stenugnsbageri — maybe the biggest semla bun in all of Malmo? Despite its gargantuan size, the buns are super fresh and springy, and a good size to share!
Farina — this Italian icon in Möllevången usually offers semla for a shorter window than other bakeries, but if you miss out on their semla you might be able to try a maritozzo, still a dough bun filled with whipped cream, basically a Roman semla!
Bellevue Conditori — if you’re looking for novelty semlas, this is the place for you! The marzipan covered Prinsesstårta semla replaces the almond paste with jam and custard, and sits with a variety of fun flavours; Cointreau, Gin & Tonic, Salted Caramel and Blueberry & Vanilla
