In Sweden people celebrate Christmas Eve, the 24th of December that is followed by the two holidays called Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Christmas celebrations represent many traditional activities and attributes, the most essential among them are the Christmas tree, the Christmas dinner and the visit of the tomte (Christmas gnome).

Among one of the favorite Swedish food recipes are Julen and Caramel candy under the name Swedish Christmas Kola.

Among customary meals also there are pickled herring, beet-root salad, liver paste, brawn of pig or chicken, rolled lamb, smoked leg of lamb, Christmas Ham with mustard, prunes and apple sauce. On this holiday one can eat three kinds of bread such as thin unleavened bread, wort loaf and Christmas buns.

Bread is usually served butter, Edamer cheese and soft whey cheese. The ham is usually served with hot potatoes and hot red cabbage.  Swedish people usually drink Christmas beer and vodka.

Swedish Christmas Kola (Caramel Candy)

This meal is made from granulated sugar, dark corn syrup, butter, vanilla extract, cream, chopped almonds. To prepare it one should mix all the above ingredients with exception of the almonds in a large sauté pan, and simmer. The mixture is ready once you are able to make a soft ball by rolling it between your fingers. After pouring caramel onto a large nonstick baking sheet, sprinkle the mixture with chopped almonds.  Then put it into the fridge in order to chill. When it is almost set, slice into portions and wrap in wax paper squares.