Kavring (The Easiest Swedish Rye Bread)

ByKristi April 24, 2025

Kavring is a delicious Swedish rye bread that is dark in color and slightly sweet in flavor. This incredibly easy recipe contains NO yeast and is instead leavened with baking powder and baking soda. With a list of simple ingredients, this moist and dense Kavring loaf comes together in minutes and is possibly the easiest rye bread recipe you could make at home.

Sliced Kavring loaf on a wooden cutting board.

What's more, Kavring makes a delicious base for open faced sandwiches and is particularly good with pickled herring and smoked salmon. You are going to love this easy Swedish rye bread recipe! If you are a fan of rye breads, be sure to check out my recipes for Swedish Limpa, Whole Wheat Rye Flatbreads and Easy Overnight Danish Rugbrød.

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Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Kavring
Expert Tip
FAQs
How to Serve Kavring
Related Recipes
Recipe

Ingredients

Bread flour and rye flour - form the base of this recipe. The bread flour brings structure and the rye imparts flavor and a tender texture.
Baking powder and baking soda - are the leaveners for this bread.
Salt - heightens the flavor of the baked loaf.
Swedish dark baking syrup (also known as mörk sirap) or light molasses - serve as the sweetener in this recipe. Both are delicious, but the Swedish baking syrup is a bit less prominent in flavor than molasses. Both provide a gloriously dark color to the bread.
Milk - is the liquid the moistens the recipe. Feel free to substitute your favorite non-dairy milk if you like!

See the recipe card below for exact amounts and detailed instructions.

Variations

Cardamom - Try adding a teaspoon or two of ground cardamom to the dough.
Seeded - for a seeded spiced version consider adding a teaspoon of fennel, anise and/or caraway seeds.

How to Make Kavring

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F and grease and flour and standard sized loaf pan (9x5 inches). Set aside.

Step 2: Whisk the flours, salt, baking powder and baking soda together in a large bowl.

Kavring dough in a white bowl with a rubber spatula.

Step 3: Add the milk and dark baking syrup or molasses. Stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.

Step 4: Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Baked Kavring loaf in a metal baking pan.

Step 5: Transfer to the oven and bake for an hour. Increase the heat to 300 degrees F. Bake for an additional hour.

Unsliced Kavring loaf on a wooden cutting board.

Step 6: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 30 minutes before tipping the loaf out onto a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing and serving.

Expert Tip

Don't over mix the batter once you add the milk and dark syrup/molasses. This will help the loaf stay deliciously tender.

FAQs

What does Kavring taste like?

Kavring is slightly sweet and rich in flavor. Depending on the particular recipe you are using, it might have a bit of spice to it such as fennel, caraway, anise and/or cardamom.

How do I store Kavring?

Once the loaf has cooled completely, store it tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze Kavring?

Yes! Kavring freezes very well. Once the loaf has cooled completely, wrap it in plastic and then place it in a freezer bag or wrap it in a second layer of aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for at least 3 months.

How should I eat Kavring?

In Sweden, Kavring is often enjoyed for breakfast or fika (the Swedish coffee break). It is delicious spread with butter and/or toppings such as fruit preserves, cheese, smoked salmon or pickled herring. Looking for more ideas for how to serve Kavring? Keep reading below!

Smoked salmon on rye bread with cucumber, herbs and lemon.

How to Serve Kavring

Spread generously with salted butter and enjoy. Sometimes simple is best!
Add cheese to your buttered bread.
Spread fruit preserves such as lingonberry or raspberry jam over your buttered bread.
Add a few pieces of pickled herring and top with sour cream or crème fraîche and chopped red onion.
Top with cream cheese and smoked salmon along with a few cucumber slices, red onion and fresh dill.
Serve alongside Swedish meatballs.
Top with hummus or mushroom pâté.
Make smörgås, or Swedish open faced sandwiches (also known as smørrebrød in Denmark or smørbrød in Norway). Consider topping a slice of Kavring with hard boiled eggs, cucumbers, cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled mustard seeds....the sky is the limit! For more open faced sandwich inspiration, check out this guide to making smørrebrød post.

Looking for more Swedish breads to bake at home? Give these delicious options a try:

If you tried this Kavring recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

Recipe