Cakes, Danmark, Food

Danish Spice Cake for Christmas in July

Forestwood

The Concept of Danish Hygge

The Danish word Hygge cannot be translated to one word in English, but my description would be,’ a cosy and contented feeling of wellbeing one gets when spending quiet time indoors with family and friends.‘

Tea and cake or a nice glass of wine in the evenings, may help to promote hygge. When I think of hygge, I think of a wood fire, sitting with my family and my dogs, perhaps a cup of Royal Ritz Loose-leaf Tea from the Tea Centre or perhaps a glass of Shiraz/Port in the evening.

It might be summer in the North, but here in Australia, we welcome winter and that cosy feeling inside our homes that adds a touch of Danish ‘Hygge,’ with a Danish Spice cake reminiscent of warm drinks by a fire, and a relaxed atmosphere.

teapot with teacups and candle

A Spice cake might also be a great compliment if you are planning a Christmas in July. Including cloves, cardamon and cinnamon, this recipe is packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, giving the immune system a mild boost.

A growing trend in Australia, a Christmas in July event, capitalises on the mild winters and is the perfect excuse to indulge in hearty Christmas dishes, Puddings and Mulled Wine. Foods that are harder to digest when the mercury passes 30 degress Celsius around December.

Bundt Cake Danish spice cake recipe

Spice Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 litre or 2 American cups Plain flour
  • 3.5 deciliters or 1.5 cups Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon each of ground Cloves and Cardamon
  • 3 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
  • I/2 tablespoon Baking soda
  • 1 Egg
  • 350 ml or 1.5 cups of Kefir/cultured milk/yoghurt/sourcream
  • 2 dessertspoons of Lingonberry or Cranberry jam
  • 75 g or 2.5 oz Butter

Method:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Celcius [180 degrees fan forced], or 390 Fahrenheit [360 fan forced].
  2. Mix kefir and jam well in a bowl, electric whisk is always preferable.
  3. Melt the butter, let cool a tiny bit.
  4. Add melted butter and egg to the kefir and jam mix, mixing gently.
  5. Mix together the dry ingredients and add to the wet ingredients until combined.
  6. Pour cake mix into a greased Bundt tin or cake tin of your choice.
  7. Bake for around 30-40 minutes. [Precise baking time will depend on the size of your dish, and on your oven. You know your oven best!]

Tips for measurement conversions: 

American

1 cup = 8 fl oz = 2.4 dl = 24 cl = 240 ml

British

1 cup = 10 fl oz = 2.8 dl = 280 ml

Australian

dl – 1 deciliter = 6 (scant) tablespoons

Two more Spice cake recipes containing immuno-boosting cinnamon, cloves and cardamon can be found on this post at The Home by the Sea.

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Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

58 thoughts on “Danish Spice Cake for Christmas in July”

  2. Luckily, I don’t have a sweet tooth; for if I did I would’ve been starting out on my WW journey at something around 130kg, I reckon. I can’t afford to even consider anything sweet other than fruit, and I’ve been a fruit monster all my life.
    These spice cakes look wonderful, Amanda; and they will indubitably make most of your followers very happy ! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  7. You must have read my mind, I’ve been thinking of making something nice a cinnamonny. I think this will fit the bill perfectly. It’ll have to wait a week or two though till we get home. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The Moth preferred the other two versions that I linked to in the post. But do try it, anyhow. I love all things cinnamon. Maybe your body is needing a little bit extra in the cool of winter?

      Liked by 1 person

  9. That cake looks delicious, and I think Christmas in July is a splendid idea. I am a huge fan of all things hygge. Sometimes I think the word was invented for me. 😉 Anyway, here’s to tea, cake, and wine and cozy times as the days get shorter.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Hmmm. I can smel the spices!
    I’ve heard about Christmas in July but always wondered who’d want to eat heavy friut cake in summer.. Now it makes perfect sense.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Smell is an overlooked sense. It is important for taste isn’t it and it does makes us feel contented and sometimes calm. I guess that is one of the reasons why aromatherapy, perfumes and incense are popular.

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      1. Yes indeed! And they’ve been popular for centuries. The sense of smell is so important to the cooking/eating/nurturing process. I have a chilled pea and mint soup that I serve to guests with the special bonus of some crushed mint leaves scattered on the under plate. The aroma is wonderful, gets the mouth excited, and adds to the whole experience.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That sounds fantastic! It would not only look pretty but I can imagine the deliciously aromatic smell. I have Mint growing in the garden and look for ways to use it. I think it is an underrated herb in many ways. Your idea is just one more way to utilize mint in cooking. I don’t mind the idea of the chilled pea and mint soup either. Have you shared that recipe?

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I could not comment on the post so will reply here. I wonder how this soup would work warmed ( the moth hates anything cold) and with shallots instead of scallions? Or could I add some zucchini (courgettes) instead. Having said that, cucumber could be nice for me in summer serving it chilled. What do you think?

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      6. Have fun experimenting with this! Shallots would be great instead of scallions, you could also use leeks, and I think it would taste delightful warm. Zucchini would bulk it out, which is fine. The cucumber would make it totally different, but in a good way and lovely chilled. Here’s my chilled blender cucumber soup, you could easily substitute the mint for the dill. https://vintagekitchen.org/chilled-cucumber-soup-with-dill/
        Let me know how your journey turns out!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. I like the idea of Christmas in July anywhere! Here in Texas a popular craft store, Hobby Lobby, will have Christmas trees and decorations by July. I might try your spice cake. We should celebrate whenever we can!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh please do try either that recipe or the alternate ones linked in the body of the post. I didn’t know Americans celebrated Xmas in July, but as Texas seems hotter than some spots in the USA, that would make sense. Let me know how the cake works out.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes Amanda I am planning to make the cake. I wonder if it would freeze, also I was thinking of baking it in a loaf pan or maybe in silicon patty cases.

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      2. Good idea to break it up into patty pans – it will be like a spiced muffin! I think it will freeze. I have frozen half of mine. I will let you know tomorrow when I defrost it and have some.

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  16. We don’t do Christmas in July but the cake would be great, another yumm recipe thankyou. I love the colours & patterns of your crockery really pretty. The word Hygge sounds like a warm friendly hug. Stay warm my friend & have a wonderful day.

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  17. I love the idea of hygge! And since we have to be in close quarters so much these days (schools are closed again in Singapore, and work-from-home is encouraged), we should make it count.

    Your spice cake sounds absolutely delicious! and another opportunity to pull out my bundt tin!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You can count on me to give you some good reasons to get out the bundt tin, Ju-Lyn! I hadn’t thought of the connection with being indoors more during the pandemic and Hygge, but you are right, it is a fantastic opportunity to practice hygge! Even in humid Singapore. The spirit of the feeling is the same.

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      1. No accounting for taste. The French have a “pain d’épices”, very traditional, I didn’t like it too much as a child. I do love the “English cake”, with lots of cherries and fruits.

        Liked by 1 person

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