Swedish Dried Fruit Cream Recipes

FRUKTKAKA (SWEDISH FRUITCAKE .... NOT LIKE AMERICAN FRUITCAKE)

Steps:

• Combine the figs, apricots, raisins, rum, orange zest, and lemon zest in small bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least 4 hours or as long as overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F Grease the bottom and sides of a 12 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 2 3/4" loaf pan with butter and dust all over with flour; tap out excess flour and set aside.
• Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with a handheld mixer set to medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the reserved fruit-rum mixture and the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Unmold cake onto a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing.

SWEDISH CREAM WITH BERRIES DESSERT

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the heavy whipping cream with the sugar. Cook and continuously stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit without boiling.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle the gelatin over the top of the mixture and immediately whisk until the gelatin is dissolved; approximately 2 minutes to be sure.
• Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
• Cool 10 minutes. Stir in the sour cream.
• Divide into 8 dessert cups and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Add fresh fruit just before serving or fruit compote.

SWEDISH CREME

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine cream and 1 cup sugar; cook and stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160° (do not allow to boil). Stir in gelatin until completely dissolved., Remove from heat; stir in extracts. Cool 10 minutes. Whisk in sour cream. Pour into 8 dessert dishes. Refrigerate at least 1 hour., Just before serving, lightly crush raspberries; gently stir in remaining sugar. Spoon over tops.

FRUKTSOPPA (SCANDINAVIAN FRUIT SOUP)

Steps:

• In a large 3-quart (or bigger) stainless steel or enamel saucepan, combine the apricots and prunes with the cold water and let soak for 30 minutes.
• Next, add the cinnamon stick, lemon slices, tapioca and sugar to the pot, and bring to a boil; once boiling, reduce the heat and cover the pan; let simmer for 10 minutes (stir occasionally with a wooden spoon since the fruits can stick to the bottom of the saucepan).
• After the 10 minutes are up, remove the cover and stir in the raisins, currants and apple slices; simmer for 5 more minutes (the apples should then be soft and tender; if not, simmer a wee bit longer).
• Pour the soup mixture into a large serving bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• When soup has cooled, fish out the cinnamon stick, cover the bowl, and chill in the refrigerator.
• This dessert is served cold, in either dessert dishes or soup bowls; makes for a very light dessert.

MOR-MOR WALLBERG'S FRUKTSOPPA (SWEDISH FRUIT SOUP)

Steps:

• 1. In a large saucepan, soak the apricots, prunes, and raisins in 6 cups of water for 30 minutes.
• 2. Add juice (or gelatin mixture), cinnamon, lemon, tapioca and sugar (and optional nutmeg or cloves) and bring to a boil.
• 3. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• 4. Uncover and add the apple slices and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or more, until the apples are tender.
• 5. When the soup is "done", the fruit should be plumped and tender and the consistency of the "soup" should be similar to a cooked pie filling before it's cooled. If this does not happen (I've had this happen at different altitudes, etc.), mix tapioca starch with a little cold water and add to the mixture, a little at a time, until the consistency is right. Add a little water or juice if the mixture is too thick.
• 6. Pour the mixture into a bowl and cool at room temperature. Remove the cinnamon sticks.
• 7. Can be served warm, room temperature, cold, or frozen. The most common accompaniment is cream or ice cream.
• 8. To each serving: 1 tsp Wine, rum, cognac or other liquors can be added, at serving time, to make this into an adult version or during cooking to add to the flavor.