Swedish waffles on Vårfrudagen - Våffeldagen

March 25: Lady Day, AKA Sweden's Waffle Day, traditionally celebrates Archangel Gabriel's announcement of the birth of Jesus. 

  • No, Archangel Gabriel did not give Mary waffles. The reason Swedes eat waffles on Lady Day is a simple mistake. "Vårfru" (Our Lady) became "våffla" (pronounced vofflau - short open a-sound in the end) in popular speech. And Lady Day is now known in Sweden as Våffeldagen instead of Vårfrudagen.

  • Lady Day, Waffle Day - Enjoy!
    Happy Swedish Waffle Day ... a waffle is a batter-based cake cooked in a waffle iron, patterned to give it its distinctive and characteristic shape.

  • A våffeljärn gives the right pattern, shape and thickness to a våffla.

  • In Sweden the våffla has its very own day, Våffeldagen, even though it’s only due to a simple mistake. Jungfru Marie bebådelsedag (Lady Day in English) is celebrated on March 25, nine months before Christmas to celebrate when the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). Jungfru Marie bebådelsedag used to be a holy day in Sweden and it used to be called “vårfrudagen” (Our Lady Day) and “vårfru” quickly became “våffla” in popular speech, giving way to the wonderful tradition of spending an entire day eating våfflor with jam and whipped cream! For other ways of dressing the waffle, see Waffles for Our Lady

  • Våfflor have been eaten since the Middle Ages, when they were made over an open fire. The first waffles were square but with the same pattern we have today. The heart-shaped Swedish waffle was born at the end of the 1800’s. In the beginning of the 1900’s eating waffles with whipped cream and jam was something you did on Sundays following a long walk. In those days there were special “våffelstugor” around. If you want to make traditional Swedish waffles, which are much thinner and crispier than Belgian waffles and regular American waffles, you will need a våffeljärn.

  • Våfflor, Swedish style. Bildbyrån photo.

  • Swedish waffles, basic recipe:
    (Svenska våfflor)

  • Some will add chocolate to the waffle...

  • Ingredients:
    1 cup + 2 oz flour
    7 oz cold water
    1 cup + 2 oz heavy cream
    4 tablespoons melted butter
    pinch of salt

  • Some will add chocolate to the waffle...

  • Mix the flour, the salt and the water to an even batter. Whip the cream and fold into the batter. Stir in the melted butter, and pour the mix on the griddle.

  • ..others will create a more grown up version - here, a Dinkelvåffla (made with whole-meal and less sugar), with Bleak roe, shrimps and a splash of sour cream. Bildbyrån photos

  • Serve with jam of your choice and whipped cream.

  • Våffeljärn, waffle irons can be found at several Scandinavian specialty stores or at for instance JC Penney, Williams & Sonoma, Target and a variety of other stores. (Ask for a Belgian Waffle Iron - and yes, the Swedish waffle is only distantly related to the Belgian but, US retailers call the appropriate irons 'Belgian' nevertheless)