Joulutorttu: traditional Finnish Christmas pastry (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional Christmas dessert in Finland? ›

Christmas dessert consists of prune jam tarts, gingerbread and rice porridge with plum kisel. The traditional dessert beverage is alcoholic or non-alcoholic mulled wine (glögi in Finnish).

Joulutorttu means "Christmas star" because it is shaped as such. It is made with layers of buttery puff pastry with a sweet and jammy middle. The traditional jam used in this delicious pastry is plum, but my favourite is apple-cinnamon.

This is a very Finnish and very old pastry. Actually no-one really knows the true origins of this pastry, but everyone eats them during Christmas time in Finland. The first mentions of this kind of pastries is from 18th century. Traditionally you eat these with coffee after every meal during the Christmas season.

Rice porridge (Riisipuuro)

Some prefer it with a fruit broth known as “fruit soup.” Traditionally an almond is hidden in the pot of porridge. Whoever finds the almond in her or his serving gets to make a wish. Sometimes rice porridge is served for breakfast.

Cinnamon buns, also known as Korvapuust, are a popular pastry in Finland. These buns are made with a sweet bread dough that is filled with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and butter. The dough is then rolled up and cut into slices before being baked in the oven. These buns are often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea.

Finnish longer-term traditions include visiting the Christmas sauna and church, visiting the cemetery on the eve, listening to Christmas carols, opening the Christmas calendar, lighting Advent candles, searching for a Christmas tree, decorating the home, visit of Santa Claus and enjoying traditional food with the ...

The Naadam celebration was handed down in 1206 when Temuujin enthroned Genghis Khan after building the Great Mongol Empire. In 1939, Mongolians celebrated the religious Naadam Festival, declaring 5-year-old Zanabazar as a Mongolian spiritual leader. It was the origin of today's religious Danshig Naadam.

The band was formed in 2008 by two brothers, Josh Teskey (vocals) and Sam Teskey (guitar), along with Brendon Love (bass) and Liam Gough (drums). They started by playing in the streets and at parties, then playing larger venues. They were soon attracting attention from record labels.

The NAC is also called Peyotism or the Peyote Religion due to the centrality of a ritual involving peyote, a button-shaped hallucinogenic cactus native to Mexico and Texas. The NAC was founded in Oklahoma in 1918, officially institutionalizing a religious movement that began in the 1870s.

Glögi – Finnish mulled wine

“Glögi”, a type of mulled wine, is the favoured hot drink at Christmas. It's usually made out of red wine or red fruit juice mixed with spices like cardamom and cinnamon and served with raisins and almonds.

What is the Christmas gift in Finland? ›

Finland starts celebrating joulu (Christmas in Finnish) on the 24th of December. This is the time when families reunite and enjoy the holidays together. Already on the evening of the 23rd people start to cook for joulupöytä (Christmas table).

The most popular gifts in Finland usually come from Santa Claus! Presents may include candy, clothes, electronics, toys, etc., but children also love receiving books as presents. Many Finnish parents start a tradition of reading one book together every day from December until Christmas.

Fruitcake was named by 35.8 percent of respondents as an essential Christmas dessert..

Classic Christmas Yule Log

A traditional dessert spread wouldn't be complete without a yule log. This classic Christmas cake is rich and decadent and will surely delight everyone at dinner.

The himmeli, the quintessential Finnish Christmas decoration, combines elements of geometry and architecture into graceful patterns and shadows. The himmeli, a traditional Finnish holiday decoration made out of straw, remains popular today.