Editing Semla (section)

== Sweden/Finland/Estonia ==
Today, the Swedish-Finnish {{Lang|sv|semla}} consists of a [[cardamom]]-spiced [[wheat]] bun which has its top cut off, and is then filled with a mix of [[milk]] and [[almond paste]], topped with [[whipped cream]]. The cut-off top serves as a lid and is dusted with [[powdered sugar]]. Today it is often eaten on its own, with coffee or tea. Some prefer to eat it in a bowl of hot milk.

In Finland, the bun is often filled with strawberry or raspberry jam instead of almond paste, and bakeries in Finland usually offer both versions. (Many bakeries distinguish between the two by decorating the traditional bun with almonds on top, whereas the jam-filled version has powdered sugar on top). Opinions on which of the two is the "correct" filling are divided, and it is a common topic of contention (similar to e.g. the matter of [[pineapple on pizza]], i.e. usually not taken too seriously).<ref>[https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10002272]</ref> In [[Finland-Swedish]], ''{{Lang|sv|semla}}'' means a plain wheat bun, used for bread and butter, and not a sweet bun. 

At some point Swedes grew tired of the strict observance of Lent, added cream and almond paste to the mix and started eating {{Lang|sv|semla}} every Tuesday between Shrove Tuesday and Easter. Every year, at around the same time that the Swedish bakeries fill with {{Lang|sv|semlor}}, local newspapers start to fill with {{Lang|sv|semla}} taste tests. Panels of 'experts' dissect and inspect tables full of {{Lang|sv|semlor}} to find the best in town.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Årets vinnarsemla är en "crowd-pleaser" |url=https://www.hallandsposten.se/nyheter/halmstad/%C3%A5rets-vinnarsemla-%C3%A4r-en-crowd-pleaser-1.92123884 |last1=Paulsson |first1=Julia |date=2023-02-13 |access-date=2023-02-14 |work=[[Hallandsposten]] |last2=Fors Wisbyse |first2=Clara}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Test: Lunds bästa fastlagsbulle 2020 är utsedd |url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2020-02-22/test-lunds-basta-fastlagsbulle-2020-ar-utsedd |last=Norman |first=Ellen |date=2020-02-22 |access-date=2023-02-14 |work=[[Sydsvenskan]]}}</ref>

Some bakeries have created alternative forms of the pastry, such as the "[[semmelwrap]]" formed as a [[Wrap (food)|wrap]] rather than the traditional bun, while others have added e.g. chocolate, [[marzipan]], or pistachios to the recipe.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hincks|first=Rob|date=25 February 2019|title=The semla – more than just a bun|url=https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/the-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806102324/https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/the-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/|archive-date=6 August 2019|access-date=23 February 2019|website=sweden.se|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Finland and [[Estonia]] the traditional dessert predates Christian influences.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} {{Lang|fi|Laskiaissunnuntai}} and {{Lang|fi|laskiaistiistai}}, both days included in ''[[laskiainen]]'', were festivals when children and youth would go sledding or downhill sliding on a hill or a slope to determine how the crop would yield in the coming year. Those who slid the farthest were going to get the best crop. Hence the festival is named after the act of sliding or sledding downhill, {{Lang|fi|laskea}}. Nowadays {{Lang|fi|laskiainen}} has been integrated into Christian customs as the beginning of lent before Easter.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Savolainen|first=Irma|date=|title=Helsinki City Museum: Winter - Laskiainen|url=http://www.hel2.fi/kaumuseo/vuodenkierto/laskiainen/laskiainen.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114060441/http://www.hel2.fi/kaumuseo/vuodenkierto/laskiainen/laskiainen.html|archive-date=January 14, 2012|access-date=|website=}}</ref> 

In Estonia, {{Lang|et|vastlakukkel}} is often a cardamom-spiced wheat bun with whipped cream only<ref name=":0" /> or with jam or marzipan filling added. Similarly to Finland, {{Lang|et|vastlad}} or {{Lang|et|vastlapäev}} (Shrove Tuesday) involves sledding. Estonians believed that the one with the longest slide would have the best [[flax]] crop yield – specifically the longer the crop, the longer fiber which would mean a higher quality [[linen]] textile could be produced.

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Hetvägg.JPG|{{Lang|sv|Semla}} served with warm milk
File:Fastelavnsboller 4 (ubt).jpeg|Two Danish {{Lang|da|fastelavnsboller}}
File:Semla.jpg|A Swedish {{Lang|sv|semla}}
File:Laskiaispulla in Vantaa.jpg|A Finnish {{Lang|fi|laskiaispulla}}
</gallery>