Kladdkaka

What is Kladdkaka?

Kladdkaka is a chocolate cake from Sweden with a unique texture: the outside bakes to a thin, crisp crust, while the inside stays soft and sticky, almost like a molten cake. The batter is made from cocoa powder, eggs, wheat flour, sugar, and butter, sometimes with vanilla essence. It is denser and more compact than most cakes because it does not use baking powder. The name comes from the Swedish word for 'sticky' or 'messy', hinting at its gooey middle. Kladdkaka is often enjoyed with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or raspberries.

Where does Kladdkaka come from?

Kladdkaka’s beginnings are linked to two stories. One says it was created in 1938 in Örebro, Sweden, when baking powder was hard to find. Gudrun Isaksson adapted an American brownie recipe by leaving out the baking powder. Another account tells of Margareta Wickman, who tasted a similar cake in Paris in 1968, received the recipe, and later published it in a Swedish magazine in the late 1970s. Both stories may be true, and the cake has since become a Swedish classic.

How is Kladdkaka made?

To make kladdkaka, the ingredients—cocoa powder, eggs, flour, sugar, and melted butter—are mixed into a batter. No baking powder is added, which keeps the cake dense and prevents it from rising much. The batter is poured into a pan and baked just long enough for the outside to set and form a thin crust, while the inside stays moist and sticky. After cooling, it is often cut into wedges and served as a dessert.

How and when is Kladdkaka eaten?

Kladdkaka is eaten as a dessert, either on its own or with accompaniments like whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or raspberry coulis. It is popular in Swedish homes and cafes, enjoyed casually or for special occasions. The cake is especially celebrated on Kladdkakans dag, November 7, when many people in Sweden make or buy it to mark the day.

Kinds of Kladdkaka

While the classic kladdkaka uses cocoa powder, eggs, flour, sugar, and butter, some versions add vanilla essence or serve the cake with different toppings such as raspberries or raspberry coulis. The basic method remains the same, with the key feature being the gooey center and crisp top. No major regional variants are noted in the sources.

What Kladdkaka means

Kladdkaka holds a special place in Swedish dessert culture. Its popularity is such that it has its own day, Kladdkakans dag, celebrated every year on November 7 since 2008. The cake is a familiar treat at gatherings and is often associated with comfort and home baking. Its simple ingredients and easy method make it accessible to many.

Questions people ask about Kladdkaka

Good reading and sources

• Kladdkaka on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data