Äggakaga (Eggy Cake) is a South Swedish thick pancake that’s baked on top of the stove. This cake is rich in eggs and baked with plenty of butter and pork fat (not for a slim diet). Its creamy and hearty and fills the stomach with pleasure and warmth. Traditionally the cake is served for both lunch or dinner with plenty of smoked bacon and lingonberry jam. As a lunch it will give you strength for a hard day’s work. For dinner it gives you comfort and a good night’s sleep. It will also be enjoyable as a brunch served with ale instead of mimosas.
My version is made with an addition of fresh rosemary and brown sugar is used instead of regular white sugar. The rosemary works really well with smoked bacon and adds a nice touch to this old traditional dish.
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Ägga Kaga (Eggy Cake)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Äggakaga is a rich, South Swedish thick pancake cooked on the stove, featuring eggs, butter, and pork fat, served with smoked bacon and lingonberry jam.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) milk
- 1 1/2 cups (175 ml) regular flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly milled pepper, to taste
- Plenty of butter for frying
- 1/2 lb (250 g) smoked bacon, sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Lingonberry jam, for serving
Instructions
- Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk them together with the milk.
- Add salt, pepper and sugar.
- Sift the flour into the batter little by little to avoid lumps. The mixture is done when all is well mixed and has become a smooth batter.
- Let it rest on the counter while you fry the smoked bacon. Add the rosemary to the bacon when its almost done.
- Set the bacon aside and reserve the fat, as that will be use when cooking the pancake.
- The pancake should be about 1- 1 1/2” thick so a regular frying pan (about 10″-11″ wide) that can fit the whole batter will work perfectly. Heat up the pan and melt a large lump of butter.
- Lower the heat to medium and pour in the batter. With a spatula, scrape the bottom and move the firm batter into the middle of the pan to prevent the mixture being burnt. Continue until all batter is firm.
- Turn the cake by covering the pan with a plate before turning.
- Add some more butter if necessary before sliding the cake onto the pan again, raise the temperature slightly and cook until the cake has browned underneath.
- Turn one more time. This time add the bacon fat before sliding the cake onto the pan.
- The cake is done when it’s golden brown on both sides.
- Top the cake with the fried Rosemary bacon and enjoy with lingonberry or cranberry jam. Best served with either milk or beer.
Notes
- This dish is traditionally served with smoked bacon and lingonberry jam, which complements the savory and sweet flavors.
- For a brunch twist, pair it with ale instead of mimosas.
- The addition of rosemary enhances the flavor of the bacon.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: Scandinavian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 220
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I flip this thick stovetop cake without breaking it?
The instructions describe a specific plate-flip method: cover the pan with a plate, then invert the cake onto the plate, and slide it back into the pan (adding more butter if needed). Raise the temperature slightly and cook the second side until golden brown, then flip once more — this time adding the reserved bacon fat before sliding the cake back in for its final color. 
Why does the recipe use the reserved bacon fat in the final cooking stage?
After frying the smoked bacon with rosemary, the recipe explicitly sets the bacon aside and reserves its rendered fat. That fat is then added to the pan in the very last flip — cooking the cake’s underside in savory, smoky pork fat deepens the flavor and creates a richer crust than butter alone would.
What do I serve with Äggakaga if I can’t find lingonberry jam?
The article says Äggakaga is traditionally served with plenty of smoked bacon and lingonberry jam. If lingonberry jam is unavailable, cranberry jam is the closest substitute — tart, berry-based, and similar enough in flavor. The instructions also suggest pairing with milk or beer rather than the usual brunch mimosa.
Hi Rusty,
It should be 1/2 a pound! Thanks, will correct it!
Um, so is it a pound (lb) of bacon or 250 grams? 250 gms.=0.55 lbs.