Hjónabandssæla – which translates to Marriage Bliss – is a simple but good everyday cake. It is straightforward to make, which adds to its popularity. Hjónabandssæla has its origins in the Austrian Linzertorte but has changed considerably through the decades, and it can be said that Hjónabandssæla has become unique to Iceland.
It is important not to bake it for too long because it can become chewy – but if you like chewy cakes, you just do what you feel like!
This cake is so simple, it is easier to make than pancakes! If you don’t have rhubarb jam, you can use other fruit jam, but it is traditional (and best) to use that.
Ingredients of Marriage Bliss:
- 2dl oatmeal
- 1dl wholemeal flour
- 1dl flour
- 1dl brown sugar
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 100gr. (3,5 ounces) butter
- 1 egg
- Rhubarb jam
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200° C (390° F).
- Put all ingredients into a bowl, apart from the jam, and blend together. Don’t use a mixer.
- Add enough dough to the tin to cover the bottom and press it in there.
- Then add the rhubarb jam.
- Then the rest of the dough crumbled on top of the jam.
- Put it in the oven for 20 minutes. Simple and easy!
This cake is also brilliant to take as a snack on your travels, like whale watching, because it can be easily cut down into pieces without crumbling. If you don’t have access to an oven to bake the cake while in Iceland, you can usually buy a piece in a bakery. We still recommend you try this one at home as well; it is straightforward and great with coffee or just a glass of milk.
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