Learn How to Read a Swedish Recipe (and Bake Like a Local)

So you’ve found the perfect Swedish recipe — maybe kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), semlor (cream buns), or kladdkaka (gooey chocolate cake) — but then you hit a wall.

What on earth is 1 dl?

You’re not alone! Swedish recipes often use deciliters (dl) instead of cups or ounces.

Here’s a simple guide to help you understand Swedish recipe measurements, convert them easily, and even try a traditional Swedish pancake recipe while you’re at it.

Understanding Swedish Recipe Measurements

In Sweden, most baking recipes use deciliters (dl) for dry and liquid ingredients. A deciliter equals one-tenth of a liter, and there are 10 dl in one liter.

If you’re used to baking in cups or ounces, here’s a quick conversion table to make things simple:

dl to cup conversions

Deciliters (dl)	Cups (US)
0.5 dl	0.2 cups
1 dl	0.4 cups
1.5 dl	0.6 cups
2 dl	0.8 cups
2.4 dl	1 cup
5 dl	2 cups
10 dl	4 cups

Tip: Many Swedish cooks use the same measuring cup for flour, sugar, and milk — so a digital scale or a metric measuring set is handy if you bake often.

Classic Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) Recipe

If you want to start with something simple and delicious, try this classic Swedish pancake recipe.

Swedish pancakes are thinner and softer than American pancakes — more like crêpes — and often served with lingonberry jam and whipped cream.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs

• 5 dl all-purpose flour

• 12 dl milk

• 4 Tbsp melted butter

• 3 Tbsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.

2. Heat a frying pan or skillet over medium heat.

3. Lightly coat the pan with butter or cooking spray.

4. Pour enough batter to just cover the bottom of the pan.

5. Cook until lightly browned and bubbly, then flip and cook the other side.

6. Roll or fold and serve with jam, syrup, or berries.

Smaklig måltid! – “Enjoy your meal!”

Cups to dl Conversion Chart

Want to bake your favorite recipes using Swedish measurements? Here’s a quick reverse table.

Cups (US)	Deciliters (dl)	Tablespoons (approx.)
1/4 cup	0.6 dl	4 Tbsp
1/3 cup	0.8 dl	5.3 Tbsp
1/2 cup	1.2 dl	8 Tbsp
3/4 cup	1.8 dl	12 Tbsp
1 cup	2.36 dl	16 Tbsp
1.5 cups	3.56 dl	24 Tbsp
2 cups	4.74 dl	32 Tbsp
3 cups	7.1 dl	48 Tbsp

Bonus Tips for Swedish Baking

• Butter: Most Swedish recipes use unsalted butter.

• Flour: All-purpose flour is “vetemjöl” in Swedish.

• Sugar: “Strösocker” = granulated sugar, “florsocker” = powdered sugar.

• Oven temperatures: Swedish recipes often use °C — remember, 200°C = 392°F.

• Lingonberries: A must-have topping for pancakes and desserts — similar to cranberries, but less tart.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to read a Swedish recipe is more than just about conversions — it’s a window into Swedish culture.

Once you understand deciliters and metric baking, you can enjoy everything from kanelbullar to kladdkaka with confidence.

So grab your whisk, measure in dl, and start baking like a Swede!