Panini Happy is four years old this week! And since I always bake my kids a cake on their birthday I decided my blog ought to have one too. Of course, it’s a sandwich cake!
Introducing the smörgåstårta! If you haven’t seen one of these before, it’s a Swedish sandwich cake with layers of bread separating creamy fillings. I can’t remember where I first heard of them but I’ve been aching to make one for the longest time. If you run a Google image search you’ll be amazed at the wide range of incredibly creative smörgåstårtas out there. In the end, I decided to make the recipe from Saveur, which is filled with smoked salmon and smoked herring mousse. Read on to see what goes into making one of these party showstoppers!
After browsing dozens of smörgåstårtas online, the Saveur recipe won me over with the bread. I really wanted to make a round cake, but in most cases that involves cobbling together multiple pieces of rectangular-shaped bread and trimming it all into a circle. Baking a cake-shaped loaf of bread sounded like a much better way to go. It’s a light whole wheat bread and comes out of the springform pan in the perfect shape and size for a smörgåstårta.
After I took a deep breath and tentatively divided the bread into three mostly-equal layers (phew!) it was time to bring on the fillings. The recipe called for the bottom layer to be a mousse made with smoked herring, but since I couldn’t find it at the store I went with smoked trout. A layer of sliced cucumber went on top of the mousse, then it was on to the next tier: smoked salmon, a sweet mustard sauce and shredded romaine lettuce. All the while, I’m hoping and praying that I’ll like how this all tastes together because these were definitely some out-of-the-ordinary flavor combinations for me!
The final step is to “frost” the cake with a mixture of cream cheese and sour cream and then decorate. I kept my adornments pretty close to those in the recipe – smoked salmon, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, radishes and parsley.
I’m proud to say that this cake, which took me the better part of a day to complete, actually tastes great! You gotta like smoked fish, of course (and we do). When you eat the bread and filling layers all together it really is like eating a sandwich. It’s even better once the flavors have a chance to meld together, after a few hours in the refrigerator. I definitely see how this became popular in Sweden for parties.
Thank you guys so much for an amazing 4 years!
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Happy Anniversary! This “cake” is beautifully stunning. I can believe that it took you most of a day to make, but so worth it. Gorgeous!
*Just Fran*´s last blog post ..Let Us
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Wow, I have never seen a Smorgastarta – quite incredible! Happy 4th Anniversary!!
Jeanette´s last blog post ..Detox Carrot and Beet Smoothie Recipe
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wow! Happy anniversary!
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Oh. My. God. Look at that thing…incredible.
Amy´s last blog post ..Salsa Verde Chicken Bake
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What a fantastic and creative way to celebrate an exciting milestone! Congrats =).
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living´s last blog post ..Monday Musings + Chicken Salad Sandwiches
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This is the perfect way to celebrate such a wonderful milestone! You provide so much inspiration on your site, Kathy and this smorgastarta is another example.
Cookin’ Canuck´s last blog post ..Rice Noodle Salad with Endive, Shrimp & Soy-Ginger Dressing Recipe
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This cake makes me incredibly giggly! Happy 4 years!
Elizabeth´s last blog post ..Around The World In 52 Weeks: Coupé Coupé and Yucca Fries
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Kathy Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 8:35 am
I don’t think you can even say the word “smorgastarta” without smiling.
Thank you!
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Wow, wonderful! That is something I have been dreaming of making lately…
Happy 4th anniversary!
Cheers,
Rosa
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Happy blog anniversary! Or blog birthday! Whichever you prefer
That sandwich cake looks awesome – I love the sandwich decorations on top! Congrats on 4 years, Kathy!
Mary´s last blog post ..king of nablus sweets / el cajon – san diego, ca
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Happy Birthday! We have the same blogiversary. My 4th year is at the end of this month. I would be glad to help you eat this cake, it looks beautiful as well as delicious! I have enjoyed following you all these years. Looking forward to many more!!
Robin Sue
Robin Sue´s last blog post ..Hot Cocktail Bar
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4 years and still going strong!! Congratulations!! And the cake is amazing! How creative! Looks like a great idea for an afternoon tea or shower
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what a great way to celebrate you blogaversary! LOVE you Smorgastarta
Happy 4 years to you!!!!
Diane {Created by Diane}´s last blog post ..Pasta Fagioli in 30 Minutes
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Happy four years to you! And I wish I could have a slice of this.
Kalyn´s last blog post ..Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) Soup Recipe with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Basil
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Oh…My…Goodness.. This is one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in all my 78 years!! This is the first day that I have heard about this site also. How have I not met you before now and you’ve been
here 4 years! Well, congratulations, Panini Lady. I will be visiting this
site often now that I have found you!! Lucky me..no Blessed me, for
finding you and may you continue to receive HIS favor. Right now I am so happy and giddy.
much love,
Viola Ford
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Brilliant idea- love everything about it! Congrats on 4 years!
Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last blog post ..Chicken Alfredo
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This is the most genius thing, ever! What a great idea for your blog birthday. Congrats!!! So glad to know you!
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I literally raised my hand and said, “no, stop it, you did not make a savory sandwich cake” when I saw the picture. This is the raddest ‘cake,’ EVER! Happy Blog birthday, you sure did a great job honoring your blog with this smörgåstårta.
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THAT is stunning! I’ve never seen anything like this! Just gorgeous! And Happy Blog Birthday to you!!!! What a festive way to celebrate!
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Happy Anniversary – this “cake” is stunning!!!
Samantha´s last blog post ..Cranberry Coffee Cake
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Happy Anniversary! The “cake” looks delicious!
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This is so brilliant, and it looks spectacular! I wish I had thought of it! Happy Blogiversary!! I’m going on 4 myself!
Lisa´s last blog post ..Orange Lacquered Chicken for #citruslove
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Happy, happy four years! I’ve finally bought a panini press, thanks to the wonderful recipes you feature on this blog, so I’m looking forward to more creations in year five. And your cake? Fantastic!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)´s last blog post ..Recipe for Penang-style baked chicken
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What a gorgeous cake! Your blog is what finally convinced me to get a panini grill over a year ago. I’ve been happily reading it and making panini ever since. Thanks for all the inspiring recipes! Happy Anniversary!
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Kathy Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 12:12 am
That’s so nice to hear, Mo – thanks so much!
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Congrats on 4 years! Here’s to another 4 and counting!
I am LOVD´s last blog post ..Gratitude Journal Monday
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Congrats on four years! What a fabulous way to celebrate!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes´s last blog post ..Baked Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
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what a gorgeous sandwich!!! and super, major happy blog anniversary! I’m on 4 years this month, too! Woo hoo! Big hugs.
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Happy Anniversary! I came across this recipe on Pinterest. I will re-pin! Such a novel (to me!) and clever idea! I will definitely subscribe to your blog
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What a pretty sandwich and Im sure it does taste great.. Thanks for introducing this, ill try this over the weekend now
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How cool to see someone else making one of these! I’ve been making sandwich cakes for years (my family is from Sweden), but never followed a recipe. Yours sounds delicious and you did a fantastic job decorating it!! : )
evie
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Kathy Reply:
January 10th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Thanks so much, Evie. I’m glad to know it meets the approval of someone who knows these things well!
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Wow! That looks so pretty it’s almost a shame to eat it. But it looks too delicious not to eat either. The
Selene´s last blog post ..Craves: Totseat
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This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! I am now going to devote my fantasies to developing a Gluten & Casein Free Version of this, first I have to develop a gluten free bread that isn’t terrible, but I’m still working on it…
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This looks like such an interesting cake. I just want to eat it.
Stephanie´s last blog post ..Ivory Crystal Pearlized Wedding Cake with Fondant Bow: WC-50048
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That’s really an incredible piece of sandwich. Way to go Kathy!
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That is awesome! Congrats Kathy!!
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THAT is so gorgeous. It’s truly a work of art! I bet is was super yummy too. Very impressive and thanks for posting.
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It’s stunning! And it’s making me hungry . . .
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This looks so pretty, I had to come over from Pinterest to check it out closer. I had to google the name because I have never heard of these, wow! How have I never heard of these, google is full of them too. =) Happy blogoversary!
Rachelle @ Mommy? I’m Hungry!´s last blog post ..Baked Potato Rounds
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I’ve had the pleasure of being served smörgåstårta at relatives homes in Sweden. They are generally beautiful, but yours is a real work of art.
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OMG I’ve never heard of such a cake but since I don’t have a sweet tooth, I guess this is the only kind of cake I’d actually enjoy! I LOVE Smoked Fish especially with cream cheese. YUM YUM! Congrats on 4 yummy years!
Cookie´s last blog post ..Finally…Another Post About Working Out!
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What a beautiful sandwich cake! More beautiful than any birthday cake, great idea!
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This is beyond coolness!
Amanda´s last blog post ..Curried Chicken, Peppers & Peas en Papillote
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This looks incredible. I’ve never even thought about a sandwich cake. That’s like one of the coolest things ever!!!
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This is one of the most jaw-droppingly wonderful cakes I’ve ever seen. Love the savory twist to it. And yes, too appropriate that it’s a sandwich cake to celebrate a sandwich blog anniversary. Congrats to you!
Carolyn Jung´s last blog post ..A Lovely Lemon Cake from the Girl & the Fig
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4 years? Wow! Congrats! You are one awesome blogger. It has been a true pleasure getting to know you better and I look forward to seeing what you bring to the table in the upcoming year.
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Your a goddess and such creativity. Happy 4th, glad I found you, you have helped me create killer paninis from my mobile kitchen.
Roxy
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This looks amazing! What a creative idea that would be so perfect for a party. Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday!
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Happy Blog birthday! Wow, this is amazing!
Jersey Girl Cooks´s last blog post ..Old Fashioned Candy Dispenser & Fun, Fun!
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Being pregnant, I CRAVE but am not supposed to eat smoked or raw fishies and looking at this amazing sammy cake has me positively salivating! This is definitely making my post-pregnancy foods to indulge in top ten list. I am a true sandwich fanatic, so seeing such an innovative, creative and positively delicious twist on an already near perfect classic tickles me just right. Awesome post!
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that looks amazing! I have never heard of such a cake but it looks like it would be great to entertain with!
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Happy blog birthday! Now this is the way to celebrate blog anniversaries! Why have I never done that? (FYI: I’m Swedish and I love, love, love smörgåstårta. And salmon. Just found this site via CraftGossip and had to check it out as it mentioned one of my favourite party dishes.)
As a kid I always thoroughly enjoyed helping mom make smörgåstårtor the day before a party. Especially to be the one in charge of the garnishing. And then making (open face) sandwiches with the leftover fillings and bread slices. Yummy!
My mom usually makes her smörgåstårta with three fillings: 1) tuna, hard boiled eggs, mayo, sour cream and whipped cream; 2) ham, tangerines in syrup (drained), mayo, sour cream, whipped cream; 3) mixed fruits in light syrup (drained), mayon, sour cream, whipped cream. And I must have corn and cucumber among the toppings/garnish. A perfect mix between savoury — the ham we use is quite salt — and sweet, between mild and more distinct flavours. Heavenly!
maneki´s last blog post ..TAST week 2: buttonhole stitch
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Kathy Reply:
January 14th, 2012 at 9:29 am
That sounds fantastic! You’re so lucky to have grown up with these. Thanks so much for sharing your tradition.
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