When you move away from the place you call home, some things stay with you — and for many Swedes abroad, food is one of the strongest threads connecting them to their roots.

We recently connected with Caroline, a warm, creative soul living in Switzerland with her husband and two-year-old daughter. On Instagram, she’s known as @snacksbycaroline, where she shares nourishing recipes, clever snack ideas, and moments from her life as a Swedish mom abroad.

Caroline brings her Swedish food heritage into her everyday life in a beautiful, thoughtful way. From childhood food memories to modern family meals, she reminds us that culture isn’t something you leave behind — it’s something you pass forward.

We asked her a few questions about life abroad, food traditions, and what Swedishness means to her — plus, she’s shared a lovely, simple recipe to try at home with kids.

S: Tell us a little about yourself and your family. Where do you live, and how long have you been abroad?

C: I live in Switzerland with my husband and our two-year-old daughter. We've been living here for about five years now.

S: As an influencer, what’s important to you when promoting a product or brand?

C: It has to be something I genuinely like and believe in. It should fit my niche and speak to my audience, but I also care deeply about who I work with. The brand’s values — like how they treat their employees and the environment — really matter to me.

S: Do you have a strong food memory from childhood that you’d love to recreate with your daughter?

C: I have so many! But what really stands out is the feeling around food — especially that special “Friday night” vibe. We’d have tacos or something extra tasty, pick a soda from a red soda crate (you know the kind!), and then settle in with snacks and a movie.

More than anything, I want to recreate that sense of togetherness and coziness. Mealtimes are a beautiful way to connect as a family, both on regular days and special occasions.

S: Why do you think it's important to pass on food culture to your kids?

C: For us, living abroad, it feels even more important. I want my daughter to experience the Swedish traditions and foods my husband and I grew up with — especially around holidays.

At the same time, I want her to be curious and open to new flavours, wherever they come from. Passing on food culture isn’t about only eating Swedish — it’s about creating memories, celebrating identity, and staying connected to home.

S: What are your family’s favourite Swedish foods?

C: Both my daughter and I love knäckebröd with leverpastej (I top mine with smörgåsgurka, of course!). She also loves blodpudding, and I’m a huge fan of filmjölk with granola or a skinkmacka with rödbetssallad.

My husband’s favourite is probably gulaschsoppa på burk — a classic.

S: How would you describe your food philosophy?

C: I think of food as both fuel and joy. It should give us energy to get through the day, but it should also be something we enjoy. That’s the message I want to pass on to my daughter.

I let her help in the kitchen often, because she loves it — and it’s a fun, hands-on way to learn about ingredients and cooking. I think that’s how you build a positive relationship with food.

S: What’s the first thing you buy when you land in Sweden?

C: Oh, that’s easy! Bregott, rut-knäckebröd, filmjölk, and Friggs majskakor. And honestly, I kind of go “loco” in Swedish grocery stores — there are so many things I miss!

S: Swedish food and candy can be quite sugary — how do you balance health and enjoyment?

C: I live by the 80/20 rule: about 80% of what I eat is nutritious, and the other 20% is there for joy. I think that’s a healthy, realistic balance.

I have a background in nutrition and health coaching, so I care a lot about what I eat — but I also enjoy fika, chocolate, and cozy treats. Food doesn’t have to be black and white.

Want more behind-the-scenes from life as a Swedish mama abroad? Follow @snacksbycaroline for real-life recipes, wellness tips, and the coziest food inspiration.

🥣 Caroline’s Recipe: Filmjölksfrallor (Soured Milk Rolls)

One of Caroline’s favourite baking moments with her daughter Elle is making these soft, hearty filmjölksfrallor — perfect for breakfast or fika. They're super easy to make, kid-friendly, and freezer-friendly.

🧾 Ingredients (makes 5–6 rolls):

- 2 dl filmjölk (you can use yogurt or buttermilk as a substitute)
- 2 medium eggs
- 5 dl oats
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder

👩‍🍳 How to Make Them:

- Preheat your oven to 200°C (top and bottom heat).
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Spoon out portions onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake on the lower rack for 15–20 minutes (check your oven, times may vary).
- Let them cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.
- Eat fresh or freeze right away to keep them soft and tasty!

“They’re simple, wholesome, and my daughter loves helping out — it's one of our favourite kitchen moments together.” – Caroline

🌍 Carrying Tradition into Tomorrow

Caroline’s story is a reminder that tradition doesn’t live in a place it lives in people, rituals, and recipes. Whether it's a slice of knäckebröd or a cozy baking session on a Sunday morning, Swedishness is something you can carry with you and pass on.

At Swedishness, we’re proud to help people like Caroline share these moments with their families wherever they are in the world.

Want to try more recipes like this? Or send us your own “taste of home” story? We’d love to hear from you.

🙏 Tack Caroline – For Sharing Your Story (and Your Frallor!)

A huge thank you to Caroline for opening up her kitchen and heart to us, and for reminding us how powerful food can be in building bridges between generations and cultures — even across borders.

For more nourishing recipes, cozy family moments, and snack inspiration, don’t forget to follow Caroline on Instagram at and explore her work!

👉 Instagram: @snacksbycaroline

👉 Website: snacksbycaroline.com

Tack för att du delar med dig, Caroline — vi är så glada att ha dig som en del av Swedishness-familjen 💛