5 Recipes to Bake If You’re Craving Spring (Like Me)

Whether you’re hosting an at-home café this weekend, having a friend over for coffee, or just looking for a fun baking project, here are a few of my recent favorites that make me feel like spring is just a little closer. They vary in difficulty and time commitment, but depending on what you’re craving, one of them should hit the spot.

1. Cardamom Buns

Baking cardamom buns is just as fun as eating them. I use a generous amount of cardamom in both the dough and filling, then sprinkle more on top as a fragrant cardamom-sugar. The folding technique takes a little practice, but once you get it down, it’s so satisfying. (Want to see how I do it? Watch the first episode of What’s For Fika?).

2. Mini Coconut Carrot Cakes With Candied Ginger

These mini coconut carrot cakes might be one of my proudest recipes yet. I pack the batter with shredded carrots, toasted coconut, and cinnamon, then bake it in a sheet pan for a fuss-free approach. Once cooled, I cut them into neat rectangles and pipe classic cream cheese frosting in a fun squiggly design. A sprinkle of toasted coconut and thin slivers of candied ginger add the perfect finishing touch. They’re incredibly moist, easy to serve, and perfect for gatherings—Easter is coming!

3. Semla Braid with Pistachio Paste & Blood Orange

A classic Swedish semla is a cardamom-flavored wheat bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream. Instead of shaping individual buns, I braid the dough and fill it with homemade pistachio paste, tangy blood and tangelo orange slices, and whipped cream flavored with orange blossom essence. It’s a fresh, citrusy twist on a winter staple, and it makes me feel like sunshine is on the horizon

4. Six-Layer Devil’s Food Cake

This cake might be one of my all-time favorites. It’s a labor of love (definitely a weekend project), but so worth it. I bake three layers of rich chocolate cake, split them in half to make six, and stack them with a creamy chocolate frosting. A generous coat of buttercream covers the top and sides before I pour over a glossy chocolate ganache and finish it with chocolate shavings.

5. Swedish Princess Cake

I couldn’t put together a proper baking round-up without including my Princess Cake. I layer sponge cake with raspberry jam, vanilla custard, and whipped cream, then wrap the whole thing in a smooth blanket of marzipan. It sounds rich and heavy, but it’s actually light and delicate. If you’ve never tried one, I highly recommend adding it to your list, and the vibrant color reminds me of all the greenery that’s about to come in spring. Watch me make it here.