Smorgastarta - Sandwich Cake or Appetizer Cake

Smorgåstårta - Savory Sandwich Cake

In a world where appetizers and desserts intertwine with culinary traditions, Smorgåstårta, or the Sandwich Cake, shines like a gastronomic gem. This savory cake, based on bread and filled with delicious cream cheese fillings, is a must-have at celebrations, birthday parties, and family reunions, transforming any meal into a memorable feast. Let’s discover together how to recreate this popular recipe, providing step-by-step details and useful tips to achieve a perfect result.

Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 1 hour
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 30-35 minutes
- Total time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

Bread Layers:
- 800 g flour
- 440 ml warm water
- 14 tablespoons oil
- 14 g sugar
- 14 g salt
- 14 g dry yeast

Herb Cream Cheese:
- 200 g cream cheese
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 50 g sour cream
- 1 bunch of dill
- 1 bunch of parsley
- Green onion (to taste)
- Salt and white pepper (to taste)

Pepper Cream Cheese:
- 200 g cream cheese
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 50 g sour cream
- 1 red bell pepper
- Paprika (sweet or spicy)
- Salt (to taste)

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese:
- 200 g cream cheese
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 50 g sour cream
- 150 g smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon red caviar
- Sea salt
- White pepper
- Juice of one lime

Dill Cream Cheese:
- 200 g cream cheese
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 50 g sour cream
- 1 bunch of dill
- Sea salt
- White pepper
- Grated zest of one lime

Decoration for the Cake with Smoked Salmon and Dill:
- 100 g cream cheese
- 8 slices of melted cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons red caviar
- 2-3 strips of smoked salmon
- Lemon slices
- Dill sprigs

Decoration for the Cake with Herbs and Peppers:
- 100 g cream cheese
- 300 g cold cuts (to preference)
- 100 g stuffed green olives
- Parsley
- Green onion
- Carrot (for decoration)

Preparing the Bread Layers

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour and dry yeast. Mix them well. Add the warm water, oil, salt, and sugar. Use a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients until you achieve a smooth dough.

2. Rising the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size (about 40-60 minutes).

3. Kneading: Once the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on the work surface, turn the dough out, and knead it gently to remove air. Divide the dough into two parts.

4. Placing in molds: Put each part of the dough into a springform cake pan lined with parchment paper. Let it rise again for 20-30 minutes.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the layers for 30-35 minutes, or until golden. Let them cool completely, then cut the top off and each loaf into three equal layers. This way, you will have six perfectly equal layers.

Preparing the Cream Cheese

Herb Cream Cheese:

1. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with the butter until creamy. Add the sour cream and mix well.

2. Finely chop the herbs (dill, parsley, green onion) and incorporate them into the cream cheese. Season with salt and white pepper. Let the cream sit at room temperature.

Pepper Cream Cheese:

1. Proceed similarly to the previous cream, beating the cream cheese with the butter and adding the sour cream.

2. Chop the red bell pepper and add it to the mixture. Season with salt and paprika, mixing well.

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese:

1. Beat the cream cheese with the butter and sour cream as in the previous steps.

2. Add the smoked salmon cut into strips and blend with an immersion blender to obtain a fine paste. Add the lime juice and caviar, mixing again.

Dill Cream Cheese:

1. Follow the same steps, ensuring the dill is finely chopped. Add the grated lime zest for a fresh taste.

Assembling the Cake

1. First layer: Place the first bread layer on a serving platter, surrounded by a removable cake ring. Spread the dill cream cheese evenly.

2. Second layer: Place the second layer and cover it with the smoked salmon cream cheese, leveling it well.

3. Third layer: Place the last layer and refrigerate the cake to firm up (ideally overnight).

Decorating the Cake

1. Salmon cake: After the cake has been in the fridge, carefully remove the ring. Cover it with a thin layer of cream cheese. Top it with slices of melted cheese, decorated with salmon roses, red caviar, lemon slices, and dill sprigs.

2. Herb cake: Decorate this cake with cold cuts at its base, sliced olives, and parsley leaves. You can create roses from cold cuts and carrots for an elegant look.

Useful Tips and Variations

- Bread: If you don’t have time or don’t want to make bread, you can use store-bought bread, preferably rectangular, which will fit perfectly for this cake.
- Cream Cheese: It is crucial to choose a quality cream cheese, such as Delaco, for the best results.
- Variations: You can experiment with other fillings, such as avocado or tuna in oil, to add diverse flavors.
- Serving: This appetizer cake pairs wonderfully with a glass of white wine or fresh lemonade, making any meal a special occasion.

Nutritional Benefits

- Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein, contributing to bone health.
- Herbs not only add flavor but also essential vitamins, having antioxidant properties.
- Smoked salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for heart health.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use other types of cheese? Of course! You can use various types of cheese, adapting the flavors to your preferences.
- How long can I keep the cake? The cake can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, but it is best enjoyed fresh, after being in the fridge to firm up.

Now that you have discovered the complete recipe for Smorgåstårta, all that’s left is to get to work! This recipe will not only impress your guests but will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Happy cooking!