This Was The Real Inspiration For IKEA's Chocolate Cake

IKEA may be a furniture and home goods store first and foremost, but the food court is another tempting reason to regularly shop at this beloved import. IKEA's claim to fame is arguably their Swedish meatballs (no one ever regretted taking home a frozen bag of them!). However, there are so many other rich and filling dishes to try while taking a break from shopping, including the unreal chocolate cake.

There are a few reasons why IKEA's chocolate cake tastes so delicious, but it isn't an entirely unique recipe. So where does this dessert come from? Since IKEA is based in Sweden, it may come as no surprise that their recipes mostly draw from the cuisine of the Scandinavian country. IKEA's chocolate cake is no different, and it's inspired by a traditional offering called kladdkaka. 

According to ScandiKitchen, kladdkaka means "sticky cake," and the definition is the perfect way to sum up this baked good's glorious texture where the middle is a bit under-baked and still warm and gooey. 

In ScandiKitchen's recipe for kladdkaka, the main ingredients call for flour, eggs, sugar, butter, chocolate, and cocoa powder. According to their recipe, it's important to take the cake out of the oven before it's fully baked — and they also provide instructions for how to know when it's time. This way, the inside will still be fudgey and the outside will be a bit crispier, providing the perfect contrasting texture this dessert is known for offering. Once the cake cools, the top of the kladdkaka won't be as firm, but according to Swedish Food, the cake will fall once it's out of the oven and cooling. Powdered sugar is usually then added on top.

Although you can absolutely eat this delicacy all by itself, Taste Atlas says you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to top it off. In Sweden, kladdkaka is often eaten during a mini-meal called fika that basically refers to a coffee break. But Visit Sweden says there's more to fika than just coffee and sweets; it's also a chance to socialize and take a meaningful rest either at work or with friends.

Whether you make it at home or grab a slice at IKEA, don't forget to pick up some of the frozen chocolate cake (per the store's website) so you always have it on hand.