When February rolls around in Estonia, the whole country starts to feel like a quiet, snow-dusted fairy tale. The streets slow down, everything is wrapped in a soft, frosty hush — and just when you think it couldn’t get cozier, the warm scent of baking sweet dough begins to drift through the air. That can only mean one thing: vastlakukkel time has arrived 🧁✨These fluffy little buns, filled to the brim with lightly sweetened whipped cream, are a nostalgic favorite of the season. They’re closely tied to Vastlapäev, Estonia’s take on Shrove Tuesday 🗓️ But in truth, you don’t need to be observing anything in particular to enjoy them. They’re loved simply because they’re delicious 😋
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 packet of dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 3½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of cardamom optional but adds a nice touch
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp melted butter
For the cream filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Optional extras:
- A spoonful of berry jam 🍓
- Chocolate spread or nut butter
- Finely chopped nuts or marzipan 🌰
- Powdered sugar for dusting ❄️
Instructions
- Get your yeast going. Stir the yeast into warm milk with a pinch of sugar and wait 10 minutes until it starts to bubble.
- Mix the dough. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom in a bowl. Add in the yeast mix, egg, vanilla, and butter. Stir it all into a sticky dough.
- Knead it. Work the dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Let it rise in a covered bowl somewhere warm for about an hour, until it’s doubled.
- Shape your buns. Divide the dough into 10 or 12 pieces. Roll them into neat balls and let them rise again on a tray for another 30–40 minutes.
- Bake. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake until golden — around 12 to 15 minutes. Let them cool completely.
- Whip the cream. Beat the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until it’s light and holds its shape.
- Assemble. Slice a “hat” off each bun, add your filling (jam or otherwise), pile in the cream, and gently top with the lid. A dusting of powdered sugar finishes it off 🎩✨
Notes
Simple pleasure, timeless appeal 💛
What makes vastlakukkel so charming is that it doesn’t try too hard. It’s not flashy or overly decorated. It’s just a soft bun — subtly flavored, perfectly baked — filled with a cloud of airy cream ☁️ There’s something soothing in that simplicity, especially when the world outside is cold and gray 🧣
Over the years, the basic version has evolved. While many still prefer the traditional cream-only filling, some bakers have taken liberties, adding layers of jam 🍓, chocolate 🍫, nut-based creams 🌰, or marzipan. Whether you go old-school or try a twist, every bite brings a bit of comfort.
Where locals line up for it 🏃♀️🍴
During vastlakukkel season, bakeries all over Estonia join in — from modern city cafés to rustic village shops. One particularly charming spot is Café Maiasmokk in Tallinn ☕✨ Tucked inside the old town, this cozy café has been serving sweets since the 19th century, and its take on vastlakukkel has become a beloved classic. A bite there feels like tasting history, with a touch of vanilla-scented nostalgia 📜Soft, sweet, and gone in minutes 💨
There’s a reason why Estonians look forward to these buns every year — they bring a little celebration to the middle of winter 🥳 Maybe it’s the taste, or maybe it’s just the joy of something made with care, eaten slowly while the snow falls outside ❄️☕ Either way, vastlakukkel is more than just dessert. It’s a seasonal hug you can eat.
More Estonian recipes
