A traditional Finnish favorite, leipäjuusto — also known as squeaky cheese — is a mild, oven-baked cheese made from colostrum-rich milk. This simple yet unforgettable dish is served warm with tart, golden cloudberry jam and makes a perfect Nordic treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Equipment
- Sharp knife (for slicing cheese)
- Skillet, grill pan, or oven (to warm or sear the cheese)
- Spatula or tongs (for handling cheese)
- Serving plates
- Spoon (for spreading jam)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces leipäjuusto
- ¼ cup cloudberry jam
Instructions
- Slice the leipäjuusto into four 2-ounce portions.
- Warm the cheese using a skillet, grill, or oven until soft and lightly golden on the surface (about 5 minutes).
- Transfer each portion to a plate and top with 1 tablespoon of cloudberry jam.
- Serve immediately, ideally with strong coffee and good company.
Notes
It’s not every day a recipe begins with, “First, wait for a cow to have her calf…” — but such is the humble and heartwarming origin of leipäjuusto, also known as Finnish squeaky cheese. This traditional treat hails from the serene countryside of western Finland, where time-honored recipes are still passed down from generation to generation.
🇫🇮 A Taste of Finnish Heritage
During a summer visit to a nearly 200-year-old family dairy farm in western Finland — now proudly transitioning to certified organic status — one visitor was introduced to the secrets of making this beloved Finnish cheese. Deeply rooted in history and culture, leipäjuusto (pronounced LAY-pah-YOU-stoh) is a baked cheese with a firm texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. It gets its charming nickname, “squeaky cheese,” from the unique sound it makes when chewed. What makes this cheese truly special is its traditional base: cow’s colostrum, or beestings — the rich, golden milk from a cow that has just given birth. This ingredient gives the cheese its luxurious texture and subtle, buttery flavor.🔥 Cheese Made Beside a Fire
On the day this leipäjuusto was made, a blazing fire was built in the hearth while family members kept a close eye on an expectant cow. Meanwhile, the visitor was learning to bake hearty Finnish rye bread, the smell of grain mingling with the smoky scent of birchwood. Once the cow calved, the colostrum was collected and quickly put to use. The milk was curdled and gently cooked until it thickened into a disk-shaped form. Then came a curious tool — a circular wooden press embedded with sharp nails — which was used to keep the cheese intact as it baked over the open fire. In typical Scandinavian style, this tool combined simplicity and function. The cheese was browned to perfection, its surface bubbling and crisped to a golden hue.🍓 Served with a Taste of the Arctic
The most cherished way to enjoy leipäjuusto in this region is with fresh cloudberries — bright orange arctic berries rich in vitamin C and bursting with tart flavor. Because cloudberries are seasonal and often hard to find, cloudberry jam is a popular and convenient alternative that pairs beautifully with the mild cheese. In Finland, words like “seasonal,” “local,” and “organic” are not marketing terms — they are a way of life. At the local farmers' market, just at the start of the short cloudberry season, a few precious jars of jam were found to complete the dish.🧡 More Than a Meal
For the visiting cook, learning to make leipäjuusto on the very farm where their great-grandmother Josefiina was born was a deeply emotional experience. Despite the language barrier, the shared ritual of cooking, smiles, and tradition formed a powerful connection.🧀 Leipäjuusto with Cloudberry Jam Recipe
Ingredients:
- ▢ 8 ounces Leipäjuusto (available in many specialty or Scandinavian grocery stores)
- ▢ 1/4 cup cloudberry jam (or substitute with lingonberry or raspberry if unavailable)
Instructions:
- Slice the leipäjuusto into four even portions (about 2 oz each).
- Warm the cheese slightly, either by pan-searing, grilling, or briefly baking until soft and lightly browned.
- Top each slice with about 1 tablespoon of cloudberry jam.
- Serve warm, ideally with a strong cup of Finnish coffee and great company.
Optional:
Try adding a drizzle of warm cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a dessert version! 🍮🧾 Nutrition (per serving):
-
Calories: ~300 kcal
(Exact nutrition may vary based on cheese and jam brand used)
🌿 Final Thoughts
Leipäjuusto is more than just a cheese — it’s a celebration of Finnish tradition, nature, and family. Whether served at breakfast, as a savory snack, or transformed into a comforting dessert, this squeaky cheese brings a little taste of the Arctic North into any kitchen. Hyvää ruokahalua! (Bon Appétit!) 🇫🇮🧀✨