What is this yummy treat I’m serving you today, you might ask (unless you’re just mesmerized by the fluffy messy cream and jam)? These are gluten-free vegan semla pancakes! Kind of like the traditional semla, a delicious cardamom bun we eat on Shrove Sunday and Shrove Tuesday, but in pancake form.
Gluten-free vegan semla pancakes – easy semla buns!
Originally I created this pancake bun recipe for my vegan baking book which was published in Finland last spring. I shared the recipe on my blog: vegan cardamom bun pancakes. The original is not a gluten-free recipe, so I really wanted to try a gluten-free version too.
I’m happy with the result, although this is not a fluffy pancake bun. It’s more a denser, hearty and comforting one. And because it’s a semla pancake, we filled it with almond paste, raspberry jam and whipped cream.
Semla debate: almond paste or jam?
Before Shrove Tuesday there’s always the question (or debate) which combo of almond paste / raspberry jam / whipped cream is the best. I’ve solved this issue simply by putting a little bit of both almond paste and raspberry jam and a whole lotta cream.
These little cardamom bun pancakes are not super sweet on their own, so without the crazy filling, this would make a great snack too. But I’m sure you want to taste this semla with all the fillings, right?
Happy Shrove Sunday from the forest ♥

Gluten-free vegan semla pancakes
Ingredients
Method
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, dry yeast, sugar and spices.
- Combine yogurt and water and heat to ~105 F (~42 C). Don't over heat or the yeast won't work properly.
- Pour yogurt-water mix to the dry ingredients and knead for a few minutes, add oil and keep on kneading for a few minutes.
- Shape the dough into 10 (or more) thick pancakes. Let rise covered in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Warm oil in a pan and add pancakes. Cook pancakes in mid temperature for about 2 minutes per side.
- Optional: when still warm, brush the pancake buns with coconut oil and coat with sugar.
- Let chill for a while and fill the pancakes with almond paste, raspberry jam (or raspberries) and lots of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Notes
ps You can follow Myberryforest also on Pinterest.
Leave a Reply