The Ultimate Homemade Swedish Tea Ring Recipe: A Festive Holiday Centerpiece

A true holiday favorite, the Swedish Tea Ring is much more than just a sweet pastry; it’s a delightful tradition woven into festive celebrations. Imagine a beautiful, wreath-shaped sweet bread, generously filled with a rich mixture of brown sugar, aromatic spices like cardamom, and luscious almond paste, all crowned with a smooth, delicate buttercream frosting. This magnificent treat is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate, promising a taste of Scandinavian charm with every bite.

What Makes Swedish Tea Ring So Special?

If you’ve never had the pleasure of indulging in a homemade Swedish Tea Ring, prepare yourself for an extraordinary experience. While it shares some similarities with other beloved pastries like a cinnamon roll or a Danish, its unique combination of a tender, yeast-leavened dough, subtly spiced filling, and elegant presentation sets it apart. The addition of almond paste and the distinctive flavor of cardamom are hallmarks of this traditional Swedish delight, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

This exquisite pastry, shaped like a festive wreath, is the quintessential centerpiece for Christmas morning breakfast. Its beautiful form and sweet, comforting flavors make it an ideal treat to share with family and friends throughout the entire holiday season. Whether served with a warm cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea, it adds a touch of coziness and celebration to any gathering.

Why This Recipe is Worth the Effort

For those who frequently visit our site, you might notice that this Swedish Tea Ring recipe is a bit more involved than some of the quicker, simpler recipes we typically feature. However, we promise you, the results are incredibly rewarding and absolutely worth every minute of your time. This isn’t just about baking; it’s about creating a memorable experience and a truly spectacular pastry.

While it requires a bit more attention and patience, it’s not inherently difficult to make. The primary reason for its longer preparation time is the sweet yeast dough, which needs ample time to rise and develop its characteristic tender texture. This is certainly not a last-minute recipe, but rather one to savor and enjoy the process of creating. If you’re looking for a quick and easy holiday breakfast alternative, our Christmas morning monkey bread is a fantastic option. But if you’re ready to embark on a delightful baking adventure and put in a little extra work for an exceptionally delicious reward, then stick with us, and let’s dive into making this stunning Swedish Tea Ring.

Gather Your Ingredients for a Perfect Swedish Tea Ring

The journey to a perfect Swedish Tea Ring begins with gathering high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture, flavor, and aroma. Take a moment to ensure you have everything on hand before you start, as this will make the baking process much smoother and more enjoyable.

Essential Ingredients List:

• For the Dough: Milk, Granulated Sugar, Warm Water, Active Dry Yeast, All-Purpose Flour, Softened Butter, Large Egg, Ground Cardamom, Salt. Cardamom is a key spice in Scandinavian baking, providing a warm, slightly citrusy, and floral note that is absolutely essential for an authentic flavor.
• For the Filling: Almond Paste, Brown Sugar (packed), Softened Butter. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own almond paste with this recipe for an extra fresh flavor.
• For the Buttercream Frosting: Confectioners’ Sugar, Softened Butter, Milk, Almond Extract. The almond extract enhances the nutty notes from the almond paste in the filling.
• For Topping & Decoration: Sliced Almonds, Maraschino Cherries. These add a beautiful visual appeal and a delightful texture contrast.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Swedish Tea Ring

Creating this stunning pastry is a process, but by breaking it down into manageable steps, you’ll find it incredibly satisfying. Follow these instructions carefully for a delicious result.

1. Prepare the Yeast Dough

• Scald the Milk: In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just begins to bubble around the edges (scalding). This process denatures proteins in the milk that can interfere with yeast activity. Remove from heat and let it cool until it’s lukewarm (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C). It should feel comfortably warm, not hot, when a drop is placed on your wrist.
• Activate the Yeast: In a separate small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in the warm water. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be old or the water temperature was incorrect.
• Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, the remaining sugar, and the egg until well combined. Pour in the bloomed yeast mixture and stir in the cooled lukewarm milk. Add the ground cardamom and salt. Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour, a little at a time, mixing until the dough comes together and is no longer sticky, but still soft and manageable.
• Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for approximately 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten, giving the tea ring its tender chew.
• First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Patience here is key for a light and airy pastry.

2. Prepare the Flavorful Filling

• Combine Ingredients: While the dough is rising, prepare the delicious filling. In a small bowl, combine the almond paste, packed brown sugar, and softened butter. A helpful tip for blending the almond paste easily: cut it into small pieces first before mixing. This will ensure a smoother, more even mixture. Mix these ingredients together until well combined and creamy.

3. Assemble and Form the Iconic Ring

• Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, approximately 15 x 9 inches. Aim for an even thickness across the entire rectangle.
• Spread the Filling: Drop small mounds of the prepared filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border free along the edges. Using the back of a spoon or a small offset spatula, carefully spread the filling out as evenly as possible to create a consistent layer.
• Roll and Form the Circle: Tightly roll the dough lengthwise, starting from one of the longer sides. Once rolled, gently bring the ends of the dough together to form a seamless circle. Carefully transfer the formed ring to an ungreased baking sheet or a sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Create the Signature Look: Using kitchen scissors, snip two-thirds of the way through the ring at approximately 1-inch intervals. Be careful not to cut all the way through the outer edge. After snipping, gently take each section and slightly turn it onto its side, exposing the delicious filling and creating the beautiful, open wreath effect.

4. Second Rise and Baking

• Second Rise: Cover the formed dough ring again with a clean towel and set it aside in a warm place. Allow it to rise once more until it has visibly doubled in size, which should take approximately 1 hour. This second rise is crucial for a tender crumb.
• Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Swedish Tea Ring for 25-30 minutes, or until it is beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach about 200-205°F (93-96°C).
• Cool: Once baked, carefully remove the tea ring from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet set on a wire rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.

5. The Finishing Touches: Decorate and Serve

• Prepare the Buttercream: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, softened butter, milk, and almond extract. Mix well with a whisk or electric mixer until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and spreadable. Adjust milk amount for desired consistency.
• Decorate: Once the tea ring has completely cooled, generously spread the buttercream frosting over the top. For a professional look, you can use a small offset spatula. Then, artfully arrange the maraschino cherries and sprinkle the slivered almonds over the frosting.
• Slice and Serve: Slice the magnificent Swedish Tea Ring and serve immediately. Enjoy the beautiful aroma and delicious taste!

This beautiful and incredibly delicious pastry is now ready to impress your guests and delight your family. Serve it with a fresh pot of tea or coffee for the perfect holiday breakfast or an afternoon fika treat.

Tips for a Flawless Swedish Tea Ring

• Don’t Rush the Rise: Yeast dough requires time to develop flavor and texture. Ensure your rising environment is warm and draft-free for optimal results.
• Fresh Yeast is Key: Always check the expiry date of your yeast. Inactive yeast is the most common reason for dough not rising.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Too much flour can make your dough dry and dense. Use a kitchen scale for precision, or fluff your flour and spoon it into a measuring cup, leveling with a straight edge.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will dry out your tea ring. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking. It should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
• Soften Butter Properly: For both the dough and the filling, ensure your butter is genuinely softened, not melted, to incorporate easily and create the right texture.
• Almond Paste Prep: As mentioned, cutting the almond paste into small chunks or even grating it before mixing with the butter and brown sugar will make the filling smoother and easier to spread evenly.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

The Swedish Tea Ring is best enjoyed slightly warm, perhaps just after the frosting has set, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s a fantastic pairing with strong coffee, traditional black tea, or even a spiced cider during the colder months. For a truly authentic experience, serve it as part of a “fika,” the beloved Swedish coffee break ritual.

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. To enjoy it again, simply warm slices gently in the microwave or a low oven until just heated through. The unglazed tea ring can also be frozen for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze and decorate before serving.

Printable Swedish Tea Ring Recipe Card

Use the detailed recipe card below to easily print out the full step-by-step instructions and ingredient list for this delightful Swedish Tea Ring. Enjoy creating this wonderful holiday pastry!

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