My Definitive List of Danish Pastries

It’s a pretty well known fact that the Danish are one of the happiest people in the world, and after eating my way through some of the countries best bakeries, you can’t help but wonder if its because of the high volume consumption of their world famous pastries! While on this side of the world we’d refer to them as danishes, that would be weird if people called them that over there. Instead they refer to them as wienerbrød (Viennese bread) or just by their individual names. Quick history lesson! Pastries had a boom in Denmark in the 1850’s when there was a country wide bakery workers strike, forcing owners to hire from abroad, primarily Austria, and thus the Danish danish was born! There are so many types you can try from sweet to savoury, but these were my top picks!

Kanelsnegle

Ahhh the kanelsnegle. Probably the most classic Danish pastry, what we would call a cinnamon bun! These aren’t the poofy cake like beasts you’d get at Cinnabon though, they are way better! These swirly delights are light and airy and have a perfect balance of cinnamon with just a light smattering of icing and sometimes sprinkled with pearl sugar. Fun fact ‘snegle’ means snail! I definitely had more than a few of these on my travels…

Molbosnegl/ Højsnegl

I was in Aarhus and picked up a molbosnegl one morning, but a friend told me the name wasn’t really a thing and seems to be a specific name that the bakery chose for that pastry. Upon further research I figured out they just renamed a højsnegl, which means ‘high snai!’ This is basically just a taller version of a kanelsnegl that also is filled with chocolate. It almost gave me a sugar coma at 8 in the morning but it was amazing!

Kardemummabullar

I’m not the biggest fan of cardamom. Its kind of peppery and spicy and those are two things I don’t normally love in my sweet treats, however when put in a pastry with sugar the flavours balanced to create something quite light tasting. I actually didn’t really know what I was ordering when I got this one. I had got caught in the rain on a walk home one morning and ran into the bakery all flustered and trying to squeak out some Danish to order a coffee. Is was light and buttery and beautifully constructed!

Frøsnapper

This one was probably the happiest surprise for me! A long twisty pastry that smothered in remonce - a thick paste that’s equal parts sugar and butter- and is kinda both savory and sweet at the same time! You’ll definitely get a bit of bite from the salt, poppyseeds and other seeds (normally sesame and lindseed). If you prefer something that’s not quite as sweet in the morning with your coffee, then this one would be perfect for you!

Rabarberhorn

Full disclosure, I don’t have a photo of this one because it was eaten so fast! These are more of a seasonal pastry you’ll find near the end of summer into fall. They’re filled with a mixture of rhubarb and marzipan and often topped with flaky almonds. The name translates into ‘rhubarb horn’ which should give you an idea of its shape. The flavour isn’t overwhelming and its a nice change of pace from the standard pastries!

Spandauer

The spandauer is the closest pastry to what us North Americans would recognize as a ‘danish.’ Its a folded, flat pastry with either custard or jam in the center. It looks like a cute little envelope. I tried with both fillings and after much deliberation I think i’m probably more of a fan of the custard! Overall, I reckon the spandauer is my favourite of the Danish pastries!

Chocolate Croissant

Ok, I know the croissant is traditionally French, but the Danes have put their own spin on it that’s absolutely mindblowing. I popped into this bakery in Nørrebro, Copenhagen and discovered these amazing chocolate croissant knots! Slightly more doughy and the pastry a little less sweet to balance better with the chocolate - oh my GOD were they good! Slightly regret not going back for more!

BONUS!

Flødeboller

So this one isn’t a pastry, but I felt like I had to give it a special shout out as it was my favourite thing I bought from a bakery in Denmark. First of all its a really fun word to try to say. Its kind of like a dream puff for adults. Its a tall hard coated chocolate shell filled with a marshmellowy-merenge ish filling. You can have them with different flavoured fillings and sprinkled with toppings like coconut, pistachio, dried fruits, or if you’re like me, just plain. They are so cute and fun, my new goal is to try to figure out how to make them, wish me luck!