As with a classic cocktail this Swedish pastry has different origin stories. One of the most likely is that it was created around WWII when sugar and butter were being rationed in Sweden due to shortages. To be able to keep their businesses open pastry chefs started making and selling smaller cheaper cookies to their customers. These tended to be brittle and broke easily but instead of throwing them away inventive bakers mixed the crumbs with Swedish punch, made them into rolls and dipped them in chocolate turning them into an even nicer treat. After the war and the end of rationing the new pastries were covered in marzipan.

The reason the pastry is called Dammsugare (vacuum cleaner) are twofold. Not only did the bakers use cookie crumbs, the end result really looks like an old vacuum cleaner.

Similar pastries are found in Denmark where they are called Træstammer (tree trunks) and in Holland where the pastry is called Mergpijpje (marrowbone). At first glance the Dutch version looks just like a Swedish Dammsugare but is actually filled with cake, cream and strawberry jam and contrary to its name it’s supposed to be really nice.

The Fika – Dammsugare print is available with black and white background.

Product information

This is one in a series of illustrated classic Swedish pastries that you traditionally eat with your fika.

The size 40x50 cm (approx 16x20”) are signed and printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Bright White 310g archival paper and are sold in a limited edition of 50 prints.

The size 30x40 cm (approx 12x16”) are printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art Studio Enhanced 210g archival paper.