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Janssons Frestelse

Name: Janssons Frestelse
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 1/2 lb russet potatoes, peeled; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; 1 jar (about 4 oz) Swedish ansjovis or anchovy fillets, drained, 2 tbsp brine reserved; 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs; 1/4 tsp ground white pepper; 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, for garnish

A luscious layered casserole of potatoes, onions, and silvery sprats baked in cream — Sweden’s indispensable Christmas side dish.

⏱ 25 minPrep time

🔥 55 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Janssons Frestelse — “Jansson’s Temptation” — is Sweden’s essential Christmas casserole: a creamy, bubbling dish of thinly sliced potatoes, soft onions and anchovy fillets baked under a mantle of cream and golden crumbs. Salty, rich and utterly moreish.

Despite the name, the fish used is actually Swedish ansjovis, a sweet spiced sprat, which melts into the cream as it bakes. It is served hot alongside the Christmas ham and meatballs, and its fans are famously devoted.

Scandinavian recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Heat the oven to 400°F and butter a shallow baking dish.
Cut the potatoes into thin matchsticks or slices; sauté the onions in 1 tbsp of the butter until soft and golden.
Layer half the potatoes in the dish, top with half the onions and anchovies, then repeat; season with white pepper.
Pour the cream and reserved brine over the top, then scatter with breadcrumbs and dot with the remaining butter.
Bake 45-55 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbling.
Rest 10 minutes and garnish with chives before serving.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Swedish ansjovis is a sweet spiced sprat, not plain anchovy — if using regular anchovies, rinse them well. Letting it rest before serving keeps the layers neat.

Recipe details

Prep25 min

Cook55 min

Servings6

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Janssons Frestelse

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