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A stunning Nordic party dish, the Finnish Sandwich Cake—known as Voileipäkakku—is a savory, layered "cake" made with bread, creamy fillings like egg salad or smoked salmon, and decorated with fresh vegetables and herbs. Perfect for brunches, baby showers, and special gatherings.
Equipment
- Large cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Decorative cake plate or serving platter
- Large mixing bowl
- Handheld electric mixer (optional)
- Offset spatula or regular spatula
- Spoon or knife for spreading
- Plastic wrap (for storage)
Ingredients
Group: For the Frosting
- 1 ½ cups cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Generous pinch of kosher salt
Group: For the Cake
- 16-20 slices sandwich bread (white, rye, or whole wheat)
- Choice of up to 3 fillings, such as:
- 1 cup Egg salad
- 1 cup Tuna salad
- 1 cup Chicken salad
- ¼ lb Sliced smoked salmon
- ¼ lb Ham salad or sliced ham
- ¼ lb Sliced turkey
Group: For Garnish (Suggestions)
- Cucumber slices
- Radishes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Lemon slices
- Fresh dill or parsley
- Capers
- Optional: salmon or cucumber "roses" for decoration
Instructions
- Make the Frosting:In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and mustard until smooth. Set aside or chill.
- Prepare the Bread:Trim the crusts from your bread slices for clean, even layers. If making a round cake, use a pan as a guide.
- Assemble the Cake:Lay 4 slices of bread to form a rectangle on your platter.Spread a thin layer of frosting or butter.Add your first filling and smooth it out.Repeat with bread, second filling, and another layer.Finish with a final bread layer.
- Frost the Outside:Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining cream cheese mixture. A thin coat is fine—garnishes will help with presentation.
- Decorate:Add cucumber slices, herbs, cherry tomatoes, and other garnishes as desired. Be creative!
- Chill and Serve:Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice gently and enjoy!
Notes
Voileipäkakku, or Finnish Sandwich Cake, is a savory Nordic creation that combines the charm of a decorated layer cake with the hearty satisfaction of a multi-layered sandwich. Popular across Finland and Sweden, this stunning dish is perfect for parties, brunches, baby showers, and festive gatherings.
While Americans in 2024 might raise an eyebrow at the idea of a savory "cake," in Nordic countries, this cold sandwich loaf—layered with fillings like egg salad, ham, smoked salmon, and more—is a celebrated tradition, both delicious and visually spectacular. Decorated with fresh vegetables and herbs, this dish turns heads and delights taste buds.🧑🍳 What Is a Voileipäkakku?
Voileipäkakku (literally "sandwich cake") isn’t actually a cake in the traditional sense—there’s no sugar or baking involved. Instead, it's made from layers of soft sandwich bread and creamy or savory fillings, stacked like a layer cake and "frosted" with a smooth mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. The result? A unique dish that’s as beautiful as it is customizable. This recipe serves more as a method than a strict formula. It invites creativity, allowing for a mix of fillings and decorative flourishes. Whether it's seafood-focused, vegetarian, or meat-lovers’ heaven, this cake adapts to your taste.🇫🇮 A Slice of Nordic Food History
Although the sandwich cake might feel timeless, it only became popular in the latter half of the 20th century, especially in Sweden and Finland. According to Magnus Nilsson, renowned Swedish chef and historian of Nordic cuisine, this dish is a relatively modern addition to Scandinavian culinary traditions. Still, it has quickly become a staple for celebrations—especially midsummer parties, birthdays, and name days.🍽️ Tools & Equipment You’ll Need
- Large cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Decorative cake platter
- Large mixing bowl
- Handheld mixer (optional)
- Offset spatula or regular spatula
🧂 Ingredients for Finnish Sandwich Cake
For the “Frosting”:
This creamy, savory spread is used both inside and outside the cake.- 1 ½ cups (12 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream or full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp Dijon or your favorite mustard (optional – adds a tangy kick and slight yellow hue)
- Generous pinch of kosher salt
For the "Cake" (Bread and Fillings):
-
1 large or 2 medium loaves of sandwich bread (white, rye, or whole wheat)
- Choose a soft but sturdy bread, like pain de mie
- You’ll need ~16–20 slices
- Up to 3 different fillings (see suggestions below)
Suggested Fillings:
- Egg salad 🥚
- Tuna salad
- Smoked salmon 🍣
- Ham salad or sliced ham 🐖
- Chicken salad
- Liver pâté
- Sliced turkey 🦃
- Cucumber slices or pickles for crunch 🥒
🌿 Garnish Ideas (Get Creative!):
- Sliced cucumbers 🥒
- Radishes
- Lemon wedges 🍋
- Cherry tomatoes 🍅
- Fresh dill or parsley 🌿
- Capers
- Edible flowers (optional but elegant!)
- Optional: Craft salmon or cucumber "roses" for an artistic touch
👩🍳 How to Assemble a Finnish Sandwich Cake
Step 1: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, salt, and mustard. Beat until smooth and creamy. Set aside or chill if preparing in advance.Step 2: Prepare the Bread
Trim the crusts off your bread slices for clean, even layers. If making a round cake, use a round cake tin as a guide to trim your slices.Step 3: Begin Layering
- On your platter, place 4 slices of bread side-by-side to form a rectangle.
- Spread a very thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on the bread (optional—can also use butter inside and only frost the outside).
- Add your first filling evenly across the bread. Use an offset spatula to smooth.
- Add another bread layer, then repeat with your second filling.
- Continue with a third layer and filling if desired.
- Add a final bread layer on top.
Step 4: Frost the Cake
Using a spatula, spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the top and sides of the cake. It doesn’t need to be perfect—garnishes will help disguise any imperfections!Step 5: Garnish
Decorate your voileipäkakku with sliced veggies, herbs, and any decorative touches. This is your moment to shine—think of it like decorating a savory birthday cake!🌟 Pro Tips & Variations
- 🥒 Add crunch: A layer of pickles or thinly sliced cucumbers adds wonderful texture.
- 🧀 Vegetarian version: Try layers of egg salad, sliced cheddar, and olive tapenade.
- 🍞 Make it round: Use a round pan as a guide to trim your bread and form a circular cake.
- 🎂 Double the frosting: For larger cakes or thicker coating, make 1.5x the frosting.
