Soft bread
Swedish soft bread (mjukt bröd) is the cardamom-scented, sweet-savoury daily loaf you don't find anywhere else. Buy Pågen, Skogaholm, Polarbröd and Fazer soft bread shipped from Sweden to 100 countries.
What is Swedish soft bread?
Swedish soft bread (mjukt bröd) is the everyday non-crispbread shelf of a Swedish supermarket: kavring rye, tunnbröd thin flatbreads, polarbröd round soft flatbreads, limpa sweet rye loaves, rågkusar rye buns and the cardamom-scented vetebröd that goes with afternoon coffee. Compared to soft bread elsewhere, Swedish loaves are usually denser, slightly sweeter, often spiced with fennel, anise or cardamom, and made to last several days. Many are sold ready-sliced, and several brands package soft tunnbröd specifically for freezing and toasting later.
Top Swedish soft bread brands
| Brand | Strength | Best known for |
|---|---|---|
| Pågen | Sliced soft loaves and rolls | Lingongrova, Gifflar, Hönökaka |
| Polarbröd | Round soft flatbreads | Polarkaka, Polartunnbröd |
| Skogaholm | Classic Swedish loaves | Skogaholmslimpa, Rågkusar |
| Fazer | Sweet wheat breads | Vetekrans, kanellängd |
| Korvbrödsbagarn | Hot dog and burger buns | Korvbröd, hamburgerbröd |
Pågen is the dominant national bakery, with Lingongrova (a fruit-and-seed loaf) and Hönökaka (a soft round flatbread) as bestsellers. Polarbröd from Norrland is famous for its round soft flatbreads designed to be folded around butter and cheese. Skogaholm produces the classic sweet rye loaves that anchor the Swedish breakfast table. Fazer covers sweeter vetebröd for fika.
Hönökaka, polarkaka and tunnbröd explained
Three flat soft breads define the Swedish bread shelf. Hönökaka is a thick, soft round wheat bread originally from Hönö island on the west coast, perfect for buttering and topping with cheese or sliced cucumber. Polarkaka is a thinner round bread from Norrland, made for folding into a wrap. Tunnbröd is the thinnest of all, traditionally folded around mashed potato and sausage to make tunnbrödsrulle, the classic Swedish kiosk wrap. All three are usually sold soft and pre-sliced, ready to eat.
How to keep Swedish soft bread fresh
Most Swedish soft breads are designed to keep well at room temperature for several days, but the best practice is to slice the loaf and freeze portions in resealable bags. Pågen Lingongrova, Polarbröd Polarkaka and most tunnbröd thaw in 10-20 minutes at room temperature or 30 seconds in the microwave. Sweet wheat breads (Vetekrans, Kanellängd) freeze well too and can be reheated briefly to revive the cardamom aroma. Avoid the fridge — it dries Swedish bread out faster than the freezer.
Buying Swedish soft bread abroad
Soft bread is harder to ship internationally than crispbread, but Swedish soft breads with longer shelf lives — Polarbröd, Pågen Lingongrova, Skogaholmslimpa and dry tunnbröd — travel well in original sealed packaging. Butik Hemlängtan ships these to 100 countries. express shipping is recommended for the freshest arrival on perishable bread; delivery options and prices are shown at checkout. See our shipping information for details, or jump up to the wider Swedish bread category for crispbread, cookies and biscuits.
Frequently asked questions
What is Swedish soft bread called?
Swedish soft bread is called mjukt bröd, and includes loaves like Pågen Lingongrova and Skogaholmslimpa, round flatbreads like Polarkaka and Hönökaka, the thin tunnbröd, and sweet wheat breads like Vetekrans. It contrasts with knäckebröd, the dry crispbread shelf.
Where can I buy Pågen and Polarbröd abroad?
Pågen, Polarbröd, Skogaholm and Fazer soft breads can be ordered directly from Butik Hemlängtan (swedishfoodshop.com), which ships authentic Swedish bread to 100 countries in original sealed packaging. Delivery options appear at checkout — see our shipping information.
What is Hönökaka?
Hönökaka is a thick, soft round wheat bread originally from Hönö island on Sweden's west coast. It's slightly sweet, sold pre-sliced, and used as the base for buttered open sandwiches with cheese, ham or Kalles Kaviar. It is a Swedish breakfast and lunch staple.
Is Swedish bread sweet?
Swedish soft bread is often slightly sweeter than international bread, with syrup or molasses in classic loaves like Skogaholmslimpa, and spices like fennel, anise or cardamom in many recipes. Sweet wheat breads (vetebröd) for fika are clearly sweet, while everyday loaves are subtle.
Can soft bread be shipped internationally?
Yes. Swedish soft breads with longer shelf lives — Polarbröd, Pågen Lingongrova, Skogaholmslimpa, dry tunnbröd — travel well in original sealed packaging. express shipping is recommended for perishable bread to arrive at peak freshness; options and prices are shown at checkout.
How should I store Swedish soft bread?
Most Swedish soft breads keep well at room temperature for several days. For longer storage, slice the loaf and freeze portions in resealable bags. Thaw at room temperature in 10-20 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds. Avoid the fridge, which dries Swedish bread faster than the freezer.
What is the difference between tunnbröd and polarkaka?
Tunnbröd is the thinnest Swedish soft bread, traditionally folded into wraps like tunnbrödsrulle. Polarkaka is a thicker round soft flatbread from Norrland, used like a sandwich roll. Both are sold soft and pre-portioned, and both freeze well.
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