Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden [A Baking Book]

by Nichole Accettola

Transport the taste of Scandinavia to your home kitchen with the delightful sweet and savory bites compiled in this delightful baking book.

A SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BEST COOKBOOK OF THE YEAR

From chef Nichole Accettola, Scandinavian from Scratch brings to the page an assortment of baked goods and simple morning and midday meals rooted in Scandinavian cuisine. After moving back to the United States following more than a decade abroad, Accettola found herself longing for the wholesome breads, buttery pastries, decadent cakes, and cookies that she enjoyed on a daily basis while living in Copenhagen. She set out on a mission to bring the tastes and treats of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to San Francisco and opened her now beloved bakery café, Kantine. 

In Scandinavian from Scratch, Accettola has curated 75 delicious bakes, organized by occasion and arranged from simplest to most complex, drawing from her collection of each Scandinavian country’s baking traditions. Fill your home kitchen with the enticing aromas of Coconut Dream Cake, Black Currant Caves, Cardamom Morning Buns, Saffron Rusks, Gravlax and Chive Potato Salad Smørrebrød, and so much more. The easy-to-follow recipes will expand your baking horizons and bring something special to the table, from breakfast and brunch to afternoon tea to holiday celebrations.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Food and Drink, Reference

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Jessie (Zombie_likes_cake) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't reviewed a cookbook in ages but there's no time like today, or however that saying goes, we're doing one today. I have already checked out this book the library twice and there will likely be another time.

First of all, this is gorgeously produced. Wonderful minimalist photography, I mean this could be sitting out at Ikea and I mean that as a compliment (if you don't like Ikea just get out of here). The recipe descriptions are detailed, those that need have additional step by step photos. And I would say that is sometimes desperately needed. I only got around to trying 4 yet but all of them were more involved and not what I would call easy (I'm not a pro but I've baked a few things in my day). On the upside, the taste result for most of them was incredible, so that's an equation one can only solve for themselves: in one is willing to invest more time and effort when I am sure there are easier recipes out there that could get similar results. I am someone who usually favors the easy recipe that still grants great results but I can't deny how good these were. So, let's look at what I made:

- Finnish Almond Matchsticks/ Finska Pinnar: While Accelotta covers recipes from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, her own background is with Denmark, and apparently Finnish Almond Matchsticks are super common there without any evidence to support that they actually originated in Finland. Fun how that sometimes works. I made these for Christmas and the taste was wonderful for the season, a bit shortbready but with that heavenly almond note. Sad thing was that mine could not hold the matchstick shape but spread out no matter what I did (chilling dough vs not chilling vs freezer time for the dough). Maybe I simply mixed the dough wrong but it made me sad. Still: cannot complain about the taste so we polished them off no matter what they looked like. 4*
- Oatmeal Lace Cookies with Chocolate/ Havreflarn med Choklad: These made it into my collection of saved recipes, so darn good. They reminded me of childhood summers spent in Sweden when these were my favorite cookies, mine were store bought though. Such a fine taste. It was also the most straightforward recipe I tried, though I think it helps to have experience with handling thinner oatmeal cookies. 5*
- Soft Flatbread/ Tunnbröd: I remember that I had a lot of fun making these but it was time consuming. And while I thought they were tasty, I think I preferred Tunnbröd I had bought in supermarkets when I was younger and that's not the result you want. But still good. 3*
- Cinnamon Knots/ Kanelbullar: The star of the book. Of course, I couldn't write this review before I tried the Swedish Cinnamon Rolls. And this is an extensive recipe, with several steps. The dough was initially tough to handle but I liked that the preferred method was to let it rise over night in the fridge, that makes it a bit more accessible. But let me tell you, taking these out of the oven and taking the first bite: that was pure bliss. These are beyond amazing and worth the work. These are the ones where I am like, sure, there are a lot of easier recipes out there, but these were so good I doubt I'll ever try one. 5*

I might update this when I check the book out again, I have my eye on a few things I would love to do coming Christmas...

[Cynthia Corral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I was hoping for, with recipes for cookies, cakes, bread, vaffler, and smørbrød, and I was happily surprised to get a new ebelskiver recipe! And lots of stories and help with unusual ingredients and how to store them. I love that there were both simple and complicated things to try. I think I most enjoyed the section on how to assemble smørbrød, I had not known there were such specifics but I cannot wait to make them! Definitely recommend!

[Deborah Cleaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for some of the traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation in my own Swedish family, but these instead are more modern bakery type recipes. Unlike Magnus Nilsson’s Nordic Cookbook which is stuffed with the kind of recipes I know, this will not be the resource I seek out first. Still, it is a nice adjunct for those seeking to replicate bakery treats.

[Tala Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and approachable Scandinavian (mainly Danish) baking book. I appreciated the author’s introduction and explanations, as well as attention to complexities around ingredient conversion/substitutions (Denmark vs USA). The recipes are organized from easiest to most difficult, with loads of cookies (and a few cakes) at the start that I would be excited to make. But I’d likely rarely touch the latter half of the book. But a beautiful and useful object, regardless!

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to Scandinavian cooking.

Hoping the lefse recipe works out!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Scandinavian from Scratch" is a delightful exploration of Scandinavian baking, with engaging storytelling, wonderful recipes, and stunning photography. However, while the book shines in many areas, it could have benefitted from a broader diversity of recipes from different Scandinavian regions. Also, some of the "easy" recipes didn't turn out as expected on my first tries, though I remain hopeful.

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake like a Viking!!! (I mean not really but it’s got some good food options)

Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden by Nichole Accettola is a fun cookbook with assorted Scandinavian deserts, treats, and holiday fare.

Drawing from a mix of both European and American influence Scandinavian culture, this recipe guide has a ton of fun material to experient with for those who consider themselves culinary tourists.

Also, there are a bunch of good food photos…so those who like coffee tables that have a ton of pictures will also find their appetites whetted.

Anyway, the recipes vary by style, and chapter breaks cover certain elements of each country they are drawn from. Only a handful of recipes only have historical or cultural anecdotes to represent those items, but that’s ok.

Definitely recommend if you are a baker type…

[EB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly skimmed. Perfectly good cookbook. Recipes are more complicated than the other one I read at on the same evening ("ScandiKitchen: Fika and Hygge: Comforting Cakes and Bakes from Scandinavia with Love") and the audience seemed more to be other professional bakers than home cooks. Although I think she *thought* she was addressing home cooks. The story was also more about HER experience of Danish food than Danish food in general - less interesting to me. Also! Not every recipe had a photograph! And I came for the photos! Overall, is 100% serviceable and lovely, just not what I'm looking for.

[Brenda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Speed Press provided me with a free copy of this book; the opinions are my own. This is a new and favorite cookbook filled with gorgeous photographs of scrumptious baked goods both sweet and savory.. I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. The author's love of Scandinavian baking is apparent throughout. I enjoyed everything about this book, from Nichole's love.letter, each recipe, the Scandinavian pantry and useful baking equipment. The Raspberry Squares are superb and I am looking forward to baking more recipes from this delightful cookbook.

[Allison6876 · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the title I was expecting more of the traditional recipes that I grew up with here in MN surrounded by Scandinavians. Maybe spritz, krumkaka and rosettes weren't included because they require special equipment but not including some variation of julekaka was a surprise. Really enjoyed the section on Danish pastries and the dough was easy to work with. Can't wait to make the knackebrod and rugbrod. Overall a nice addition to my cookbook library but not a comprehensive guide to Scandinavian baking.

[Margy Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I bought this book looking for more Finnish recipes and then when purchased fully read the title. There are some Finnish recipes and the borders definitely blur on flavors and traditions with Scandanavia. The recipes are lovely. I tried one very successfully, delicious. I look forward to baking some more. I do like having some kindle recipe books as I often use my iPad in the kitchen.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to making some of the less-involved recipes in this cookbook. I just don’t have the time for making danishes (although I have made them before). I found many of the flavors and techniques inspirational—sometimes a cookbook’s main purpose for me is serving as a jumping off point. There will be more fish-based open faced sandwiches in my future.

[Lily’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous baking cookbook with beautiful photography. Includes chapters on cookies, cakes/ tarts, buns/ pastries, flatbreads, breakfast, rye bread/ smørrebrød, & winter teatime treats. Each chapter opening & recipe introduction includes information on Scandinavian history and culinary traditions. I’ll definitely revisit it in future Christmases for fresh inspiration.

[Caroline Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting fusion of modern baking practices and more traditional Scandinavian baking. I'm very interested in the almond and hazelnut matchstick cookies, and with minimal work they can be made vegan.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much butter.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baking book with good Scandinavian recipes. Yum.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of baking recipes from Sweden, Norway and Finland. Breads, rolls, cookies cakes and more. Many classic bakes as well as inspired new creations.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOOOO many gorgeous treats in this book that I'd like to make or eat. Might be one to add to my shelves.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful volume!

[Jamie Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I love collecting and reading cookbooks I mostly buy them for the recipes so I have low tolerance for errors. This book has multiple errors. As one example, the Rugbrød, a main recipe for any Danish baking collection, lists the wrong baking temperature. After getting so-so results from 5 recipes I called it quits and donated the book.

I'll give it credit for good writing and photos but as a cookbook it pretty much fails. The author could at least offer an easily accessed errata page for good will.