Smörgåstårta is a traditional Swedish sandwich cake, often served at celebrations like birthdays, holidays, and gatherings. It’s made of layers of bread filled with various spreads, fillings, and toppings, resembling a savory cake. Smörgåstårta typically includes ingredients like mayonnaise, seafood, deli meats, vegetables, and eggs, creating a beautiful and flavorful dish.
Here’s a classic recipe for Smörgåstårta, the Swedish sandwich cake:
Smörgåstårta (Swedish Sandwich Cake)
Ingredients:
For the Base:
- 1 loaf of white sandwich bread (about 10-12 slices, crusts removed)
- 1/4 cup butter (softened, for spreading on the bread)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for flavor)
- 1 cup cooked shrimp (peeled and chopped, or use other seafood like smoked salmon)
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded, or use ham or turkey)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
For Decoration:
- Lettuce leaves (to line the cake)
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced tomatoes
- Boiled eggs (sliced)
- Fresh dill (for garnish)
- Shrimp (whole or halved)
- Caviar (optional, for extra elegance)
- Sliced olives (optional)
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bread:
- Slice off the crusts from the sandwich bread to create neat, even slices. Depending on the size of your bread, you may need about 10-12 slices.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice. This helps prevent the bread from becoming soggy when you add the fillings.
- Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Mix well to create a smooth spread.
- Add the cooked shrimp, shredded chicken (or ham), red onion, dill, and hard-boiled eggs to the mayonnaise mixture. Stir until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Assemble the Sandwich Cake:
- Lay the bread slices on a serving platter, arranging them in a rectangle or square shape, depending on the desired size of your cake.
- Spread a generous layer of the filling mixture on top of the bread. Place another layer of bread slices on top of the filling, pressing down gently to compact it.
- Repeat layering bread and filling until all the layers are used, finishing with a layer of filling on top.
- Decorate the Smörgåstårta:
- Once assembled, cover the entire cake with a thin layer of mayonnaise or a similar spread to make the decorations stick.
- Decorate the top with a variety of garnishes: place lettuce leaves around the edges of the cake, then add cucumber slices, tomato slices, and hard-boiled egg slices.
- Arrange shrimp on top, along with fresh dill, caviar (if using), and a few lemon wedges. Olives are optional for extra color and flavor.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the Smörgåstårta for at least 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld and to allow it to set up.
- Before serving, slice the sandwich cake into squares or wedges, and enjoy!
Tips:
- Vary the Fillings: You can customize the fillings with other ingredients such as smoked salmon, pickled herring, roast beef, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Make-Ahead: Smörgåstårta can be made the day before, which helps the flavors develop even more.
- Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian version, use fillings like cream cheese, roasted vegetables, and fresh herbs, or try replacing the seafood with slices of cheese and fresh greens.
This Smörgåstårta is a show-stopping dish that’s perfect for any festive occasion. It combines delicious, creamy fillings with crunchy bread and vibrant garnishes to create a savory “cake” that’s as beautiful as it is tasty!