Gustavus Adolphus pastry

The Gustavus Adolphus pastry is a cherished Swedish delicacy savored annually on November 6th, also known as Gustavus Adolphus Day. This day honors King Gustavus Adolphus the Great, and the pastry holds particular significance in Gothenburg, the city he founded.

The pastry's origins trace back to around 1900, with early mentions appearing in the 1890s in Western Sweden. It is believed that the creation of the pastry coincided with the unveiling of a statue of the king in Gothenburg's Gustaf Adolfs torg (Gustavus Adolphus Square). Bräutigams bakery in Gothenburg even claims to have been the first to make it in the early 20th century.

Although recipes for the Gustavus Adolphus pastry can vary, most versions feature a depiction of the king, often crafted from chocolate or marzipan, on top. In 2003, there was an effort to standardize the pastry without the king's portrait, but Swedish bakeries and konditoreis preferred to adhere to their traditional recipes. While it is difficult to determine precisely how many of these pastries are sold each November, estimates suggest that over 10,000 are enjoyed across Sweden.