Julgodis: the Swedish Christmas candy tradition

Ask a Swede what Christmas tastes like and you will probably hear about a bowl. Not a fancy dessert, not a single show-stopping cake, but a bowl (or three) of small homemade and store-bought sweets that sits on the coffee table from early December until the last piece of toffee is gone. That bowl has a name: julgodis, which simply means "Christmas candy."

We grew up with it, and we still love sharing the tradition from our shops in Hull, Massachusetts, and Beacon Hill in Boston. Here is what goes in a julgodis bowl, when Swedes eat it, and how to put together your own Swedish Christmas candy spread.

What is julgodis?

Julgodis (say "YOOL-goo-dees") is the Swedish word for Christmas candy. "Jul" is Christmas and "godis" is candy. It is less a single recipe and more a category: the sweets families make, buy, and share through Advent and over the holidays.

In many Swedish homes, making julgodis is a weekend project in early December. Someone boils toffee, someone rolls marzipan, kids lick spoons, and the kitchen smells of butter and sugar. The finished pieces go into tins and bowls, ready for guests, for the Christmas Eve table, and for the long dark afternoons when the sun sets before four.

The point is variety. A good julgodis spread has something chewy, something that melts, something minty, and something chocolatey, all in small bites so you can try one of each.

The classics: polkagris, ischoklad, knäck, marzipan pigs

There are dozens of regional favorites, but these four turn up in almost every Swedish Christmas.

Polkagris. The red and white peppermint stick from the town of Gränna, first made by Amalia Eriksson in 1859. It looks a lot like an American candy cane, but it is usually straight, a little softer, and pulled by hand. Swedes eat polkagris all year, yet it shows up on almost every Christmas table and tree. We wrote more about it in our post on Sweden's most famous candy cane, the polkagris stick.

Ischoklad. The name means "ice chocolate." It is chocolate mixed with coconut fat and poured into small foil cups. It is not frozen, but it sets firm in the cold and melts the second it hits your tongue, which gives it a cool, smooth feel. It is one of the first things Swedish kids learn to make.

Knäck. A buttery, chewy toffee made from sugar, cream, and syrup, often with chopped almonds, set in tiny paper cups. Getting knäck right is a family competition. Cook it too short and it stays soft. Cook it too long and it cracks your teeth (the name comes from the word for "crack").

Marzipan pigs. A pink marzipan pig, or marsipangris, is a Swedish Christmas symbol. Pork has long been part of the Christmas meal, and the pig stands for luck and plenty. In some homes, whoever finds the almond hidden in the Christmas rice pudding wins a marzipan pig as a prize.

You will also see chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped marzipan, peppermint creams, and boxed assortments that families pass around the sofa. Every household has its own lineup.

Christmas Eve and Kalle Anka: when Swedes eat their candy

In Sweden, the big day is Christmas Eve, julafton, not Christmas Day. That is when the family gathers, the julbord (Christmas buffet) comes out, and Santa (Tomten) stops by with presents.

And at exactly 3 p.m., a large share of the country sits down in front of the TV to watch Kalle Anka, Donald Duck. The same Disney Christmas special, known in Sweden as "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar god jul," has aired on Christmas Eve since 1959. It is the same clips every year, and that is the whole point.

This is prime julgodis time. The bowls come out, everyone grabs a handful of knäck and ischoklad, and nobody talks during the Ferdinand the Bull segment. Candy keeps getting passed around through the evening, through the presents, and well into Christmas Day.

If you want to borrow the tradition, try it on your own Christmas Eve: put out a bowl at 3 p.m., find the special, and see who in your family starts quoting it by year two.

Lördagsgodis vs julgodis

If you have been in our shops, you may know lördagsgodis, the Swedish "Saturday candy" habit. Many Swedes save their candy for one day a week and then make it count with a big pick-and-mix bag.

Julgodis is the seasonal cousin. The difference comes down to three things:

• When: lördagsgodis is every Saturday, all year. Julgodis is December, with a peak on Christmas Eve.

• What: lördagsgodis is mostly gummies, sour candy, foam candy, and salty licorice from the bulk bins. Julgodis leans toward toffee, marzipan, chocolate, and peppermint, plus a few homemade pieces.

• Who: lördagsgodis is usually your own bag. Julgodis is made to share, set out in bowls for the whole family and anyone who drops by.

Plenty of Swedes do both. A Saturday bag in December often picks up a few red and white pieces too.

Building a julgodis bowl with pick-and-mix

You do not need to boil toffee to have a Swedish Christmas candy bowl. Browse our Swedish candy and pick-and-mix, in the shop or online, and put together a mix that feels festive. If you are looking for a particular classic, ask in store, as the selection can change.

Here is a simple formula we like:

• Start with something classic. Peppermint pieces or red and white candy give you the Christmas look that polkagris brings to a Swedish table.

• Add something chocolatey. Chocolate-covered pieces or small wrapped chocolates fill the "melts in your mouth" spot that ischoklad holds in Sweden.

• Add something chewy. Toffees and soft caramel candies stand in for knäck.

• Add color and fun. Gummies, foam candies, and a few BUBS pieces keep the kids (and the adults who never grew out of them) happy.

• Add one bold choice. A little salty licorice for the guest who likes surprises.

Aim for small pieces in lots of varieties instead of a big pile of one thing. Put it in a wide bowl, set it out after dinner, and refill as needed.

If you are giving candy rather than hosting, browse our gift baskets, or see our Swedish candy gift guide for ideas.

Where handmade chocolate fits

Every julgodis spread has one piece people save for last. A square of handmade chocolate can play that part, tucked in among the peppermint and toffee, or boxed as a host gift.

Maria Stolt makes our chocolate in small batches. It is not the center of a Swedish Christmas bowl, and it does not need to be. Next to the brighter, sweeter pieces, it adds a richer, quieter note.

Ordering Swedish candy for the holidays

Holiday shipping gets busy, so it helps to order early in December if you want a box to arrive in time for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We ship nationwide from Nantasket Sweets. For current shipping details, see our shipping policy.

You are also welcome to stop by. We have a shop at 165 Nantasket Ave in Hull, Massachusetts, and a shop at 115 Charles St in Beacon Hill, Boston. If you have a question about a particular candy, ask in store.

FAQ

What candy do Swedes eat at Christmas?

Swedes eat julgodis, a mix of Christmas sweets that usually includes polkagris peppermint sticks, ischoklad (melt-in-your-mouth coconut chocolate), knäck (chewy almond toffee), marzipan pigs, chocolate truffles, and boxed chocolate assortments. Most of it is shared from bowls on Christmas Eve.

What is julgodis?

Julgodis is the Swedish word for Christmas candy. It covers the homemade and store-bought sweets families make and share in December, from toffee and marzipan to peppermint and chocolate, with the biggest spread on Christmas Eve.

Is polkagris a Christmas candy?

Polkagris is eaten in Sweden all year, but it is also one of the most popular Christmas candies. The red and white peppermint stick from Gränna has been made since 1859 and shows up on Christmas tables and trees, much like a candy cane in the US.

When should I order Swedish candy to arrive before Christmas?

Holiday shipping gets busy, so order early in December if you are sending a box through the mail. For current shipping details, see our shipping policy. If you would rather pick something up in person, visit our shops in Hull, Massachusetts, or at 115 Charles St in Beacon Hill, Boston, and ask in store about what is on the shelves.