In Sweden, Easter isn’t just about egg hunts or spring flowers — it’s about candy. Lots of it. And not just any candy. We’re talking about the beloved påskägg — colorful cardboard Easter eggs filled to the brim with a curated explosion of sweets, tailored to taste and bursting with nostalgia. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to receive one, you know that opening a Swedish Easter egg feels a bit like unwrapping a tiny candy universe. And if you haven’t? Let us give you a taste of what you’re missing.

So what exactly goes inside a Swedish påskägg? And why do Swedes take their Easter candy so seriously? Let’s dig into this sweet tradition and explore the flavors, textures, and childhood joy that make a Swedish Easter unlike any other.

A påskägg (Easter egg) in Sweden isn’t the plastic, pastel-colored kind you see in other countries. It’s usually made of decorated cardboard, often with old-school illustrations of hens, daffodils, or happy children carrying baskets. You’ll see them everywhere in the weeks leading up to Easter — in supermarkets, homes, and schools. These eggs can range in size from something that fits in your hand to eggs so large they need two arms to carry.

But here’s the twist: they’re not filled with just chocolate or toys. In Sweden, the påskägg is all about the candy mix, or lösgodis. It’s a totally customizable, build-your-own tradition — each egg is filled with a personalized selection of treats chosen to match the person’s taste. Whether you love salty licorice or sugary fruit chews, the idea is to fill the egg with exactly what you love most. It’s personal, fun, and rooted in a cultural love of sweets that runs deep.

Let’s start with the most iconic (and polarizing) of all Swedish candies — salty licorice, or salmiak. To outsiders, this intense, salty-sweet flavor can be a bit of a shock. But for Swedes, it’s a childhood staple and a grown-up obsession. From traditional black licorice coins to more daring varieties coated in chili or filled with gooey centers, saltlakrits is a non-negotiable part of any respectable påskägg.

Swedish licorice isn’t just about flavor — it’s a cultural badge of honor. Kids are raised on it, and adults defend their favorite brands with passion. Popular choices for Easter eggs include Djungelvrål (screaming monkey licorice), licorice fish, and even chocolate-covered licorice balls that blend sweet and salty in perfect harmony. If you’re building your first Swedish påskägg, don’t skip the saltlakrits — even if you need to grow into the taste.

Sour candy is a must in any Swedish candy mix. These tangy, mouth-puckering treats are super popular among kids and adults alike. Think gummy raspberry rings, fizzy cola bottles, sour skulls (surskallar), or rainbow belts dusted in sugar crystals. They’re chewy, colorful, and often just the right kind of sour to make your cheeks tingle.

What makes Swedish sour candy special is the balance. It’s not just about shock value — the flavors are layered, fruity, and bright. These are the candies that get eaten first when the påskägg is opened, and they’re also the most fun to mix and match. For extra effect, Swedes often blend sour candies with sweet foams or chocolates, creating a chaotic but delicious combo that makes each bite a surprise.

Soft, chewy, and super nostalgic — foam candies (skumgodis) are the heart of many Swedish childhoods. These sweets come in all kinds of quirky shapes: pink and yellow bananas, white foam mushrooms, cars (especially Ahlgrens Bilar, Sweden’s “most sold car”), and even miniature Easter chickens or bunnies this time of year. They’re airy, sugary, and have a gentle bounce that makes them oddly satisfying to eat.

Swedes love variety, so foam candy is perfect for balancing out the stronger flavors in a påskägg. You get something soft after something sour or salty. Plus, the bright colors and fun shapes make these candies extra appealing for kids — though we’d argue adults never really stop loving them either. Foam candy adds that playful touch that makes opening a Swedish Easter egg feel like a proper event.

This might come as a surprise, but chocolate isn’t the main star in a Swedish påskägg. Unlike in many countries where Easter is all about bunnies, hollow chocolate eggs, and cream-filled treats, Swedish candy culture is broader — and more diverse. Still, a few high-quality chocolate pieces always make it into the mix.

Favorites include Dumle (soft toffee coated in chocolate), chocolate-covered marshmallows, mint chocolate coins, or pralines with fancy fillings. What’s different is that chocolate is part of the mix — not the whole show. It’s one flavor among many, which makes it feel more special when you come across it in your egg. It’s like a rich little reward in a sea of chewy, salty, fizzy madness.

Jelly candies are the backbone of Swedish loose candy culture. You’ll find them in long gummy worms (godisormar), soft fruit-flavored wedges, or jelly hearts that feel like love in sugar form. These sweets are vibrant, juicy, and perfect for layering flavor in your påskägg.

The joy of Swedish jelly candy is in the mix — it’s all about choosing a variety of textures and fruit flavors, from classic red berries to tropical pineapples. When added to a candy egg, they create that rainbow effect when you open the lid. It’s visual joy before the taste kicks in — and in Sweden, we love food that brings a little extra happiness.

Swedish candy culture isn’t just about sugar. It’s about connection — to tradition, to childhood, to loved ones. Opening a påskägg isn’t just about eating sweets. It’s about remembering what it felt like to be 8 years old, bouncing with excitement, peeling back the lid of a big, beautiful egg filled with colors, smells, and surprises.

So whether you’re filling one for your kids, your partner, or yourself (you deserve it), do it the Swedish way: with care, creativity, and a little salty licorice.

May your egg be full, your candy bold, and your heart full of spring sweetness.

Whether you grew up with this tradition or you're just discovering it, building your own Swedish Easter egg is one of the most joyful things you can do this season. At Swedishness, we’ve curated the best of Swedish candy culture so you can mix, match, and create the perfect påskägg — no matter where you live.