Fat Tuesday is here - in Sweden that means that "semlor" are on the menu. As a matter of fact the one day availability is usually stretched out to several months these days, such is the popularity of this treat. It is a simple thing really - a sweet roll cut in half with a hole scooped out of the bottom part. The the bread collected is mixed with almond paste (and a little cream if you wish) shaped into a little puck that goes back into the hole we took the bread from. Fill with whipped cream (I like some grated almond paste in it) and powdered sugar on top and you are ready for your afternoon coffee...
The picture shows a "hetvägg" - apparently derived from low german (heetweggen) meaning hot buns. I've only heard it referred to this combination of a semla soaked in hot milk but apparently it is just another name for the confection itself.
These are good but one (or two if it is the first time for the season) is plenty. Eating a dozen or more can have disastrous consequences.
