Hygge and the Joy of Baking

There’s a Danish word that describes a feeling more than a thing: hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’). It’s a well-known Danish concept — the subject of countless books, articles and conversations — and yet, many still struggle to define it. After living in Denmark for a few years now, I like to think I’ve got the idea figured out and I even like to distinguish between Winter Hygge and Summer Hygge.

At its core, hygge is referred to as the essence of coziness, warmth, and contentment — the simple pleasures that make life feel a little sweeter. Whether it’s curling up with a blanket on a rainy afternoon, sharing a quiet moment with friends, or enjoying a cup of coffee by candlelight, Hygge is about slowing down and savoring the moment. That, for me, is Winter Hygge.

Summer Hygge isn’t so different — it just takes a slightly sunnier form. It can be a picnic with friends on a sunny day, sharing beers and laughter on a Friday evening, or enjoying a glass of wine on the balcony. Either way, one of the most comforting ways to experience hygge is in the kitchen, making food or, in my case - baking.

Personally, there is nothing like making baked goods for friends and family. Only once I started doing serious, pastry-chef-level baking could I really understand my grandmother’s contentment at a holiday family meal. She would spend days in the kitchen preparing every dish with love, and once dinner was served, she wouldn’t eat a thing. As a young boy, I could never understand it. By meal time, I was starving -  I’d been waiting all day for the holiday feast. I asked her once - “aren’t you going to eat anything?” and she just smiled and said, “I’m full just from watching you all enjoy it!” That same feeling is what sparks hygge in me today when I bake for the ones I love.

But it is not just about the results, although one can never underestimate a well-made baked good. For me, the process is also a part of that cozy feeling. It’s not only about imagining how people will enjoy what I make — it’s also about the effort, thought, and creativity I put into it that make it hygge for me. The flour-dusted counters, the scent of yeast and spices filling the air, and the gentle rhythm of mixing, kneading, and folding — it’s all hygge.

Baking isn’t just about creating food — it’s a sensory, mindful ritual that brings people together, fills a home with warmth, and nourishes the soul. In my darkest and lowest times, baking has provided me with a welcomed distraction, something to focus on and a treat at the end of the process. I put on some music, preheat the oven, and lose myself in a world full of butter, chocolate and other magical ingredients.

It is also a passion to be shared with people and create traditions around. Some bake with their kids or friends, others hold tasting competitions or hunt together for the best cinnamon roll. A favorite tradition I developed since returning to Denmark was a weekly get-together with friends to watch the weekly episode of “The great British bake-off” while we munch on takeout and baked goods (some bought and some handmade).

So, how do you define hygge? What moments make life feel hygge for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below — I’d love to hear!