Smörgåstårta (Swedish Sandwich Cake)

Method9 steps · about 4 hr

1. 1

   Step 1: For the frosting ONLY, stir together the 8 oz whipped cream cheese, 1 cup crème fraîche OR sour cream and 1 tsp lemon juice until smooth. Season to taste with white pepper, cover and refrigerate until needed.

   Uses 8 ounces whipped cream cheese · 1 cup creme fraiche or sour cream · 1 teaspoon lemon juice · White pepper to taste

2. 2

   Step 2: For the vegetable filling, combine the separate 4 oz whipped cream cheese, garlic powder (¼ teaspoon), diced red pepper, carrot (¼ cup) and red onion (2 tablespoons). Cover and refrigerate. Thinly slice the ½ cucumber and cover and refrigerate it separately.

   Uses 4 ounces whipped cream cheese · ¼ teaspoon garlic powder · ¼ cup diced red bell pepper · ¼ cup diced carrot · 2 tablespoons diced red onion · ½ cucumber (sliced thin)

3. 3

   Step 3: For the salmon filling, process the separate ¼ cup crème fraîche OR sour cream, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth. Add the 8 oz chopped smoked salmon and 2 tbsp dill and pulse briefly. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate.

   Uses ¼ cup creme fraiche or sour cream · 2 tablespoons mayonnaise · 1 teaspoon lemon zest · 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice · 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill · 8 ounces smoked salmon (chopped)

4. 4

   Step 4: For the egg salad, combine the separate ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp sour cream OR crème fraîche, 1 tbsp Dijon and 2 tbsp chives. Peel the six already hard-boiled eggs, halve and whisk their yolks into this mixture; dice the whites and fold in. Season with salt and pepper, cover and refrigerate. Chill every filling thoroughly before assembly; fillings and frosting can be made one day ahead and refrigerated.

   Uses 6 large hard boiled eggs · ⅓ cup mayonnaise · 2 tablespoons sour cream or creme fraiche · 1 tablespoon dijon mustard · 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives · Salt and freshly ground pepper

5. 5

   Step 5: Remove the crusts from all 16 bread slices. Arrange 4 slices in a 2 × 2 square on the serving plate, spread with the chilled vegetable filling, layer on all the separately chilled cucumber slices and top with another 4 slices.

   Uses 8 of the 16 bread slices: 4 below and 4 above vegetable filling · Chilled vegetable spread · Separately chilled sliced cucumber

6. 6

   Step 6: Spread the Smoked Salmon Filling over the second layer of bread. Top with 4 additional slices of bread.

   Uses Bread base with vegetable filling and second bread layer · Chilled smoked salmon spread · 4 further bread slices

7. 7

   Step 7: Spread the Egg Salad Filling over the third layer of bread. Top with 4 more slices of bread.

   Uses Layered vegetable and salmon sandwich cake · Chilled egg salad filling · Final 4 bread slices

8. 8

   Step 8: Cover and chill for at least one hour to allow the cake to firm up.

   Minimum unfrosted sandwich cake chill · 60 minUses Complete unfrosted sandwich cake

9. 9

   Step 9: Spread the reserved chilled frosting evenly over the chilled cake. Decorate as desired with additional vegetables and herbs, plus optional extra smoked salmon and/or ready cooked shrimp. Insert toothpicks or skewers to hold the cover clear of the frosting; refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. Remove every toothpick or skewer before slicing and serving.

   Minimum decorated sandwich cake chill · 60 minUses Chilled unfrosted sandwich cake · Reserved chilled cream cheese frosting · Additional vegetables and herbs, with optional extra smoked salmon and/or ready cooked shrimp for decoration