Celebrating Fastelavn Danish Lent at Ole and Steen

Fastelavn is the Danish Lent, which actually means the night before the fast. It is celebrated across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the week before lent begins.

In Denmark, it is a bit like Halloween, where children dress in costumes and go trick or treating. Wikipedia calls it a Northern European version of Carnival. It is traditional to eat these big cream-filled choux buns called Fastelavnsboller.

Ole and Steen Fastlevn Fastlavnsboller – raspberry bun stuffed with raspberry cream and chocolate mousse

Ole and Steen Danish Coffee Shop in London

I learnt about Fastlevn and discovered Fastelavnsboller in Ole and Steen, the Danish cafe chain that seems to be all over London now. I taste-tested three flavours, a plain vanilla, a mocha bun featuring a salted caramel cream and dark chocolate shards and a pink raspberry bun stuffed with raspberry cream and chocolate mousse. They are massive cream filled choux pastries. As big as your face and there is not polite way to eat one.

Ole and Steen Fastlevn

These buns are light but filled with flavoured cream. Best to be eaten as soon as you buy it.

Chocolate Fastlavnsboller -mocha bun featuring a salted caramel cream and dark chocolate shards

Ole and Steen also offer a brisk lunch service. They have a variety of open sandwiches and toasties on their menu.

In the front window of their flagship store on Haymarket, you will see baskets of freshly baked sourdough and rye loafs. Having tasted the sourdough loaf, this is where I will be buying my bread.