For Christmas one year, my mother got me the book The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well and ever since then, I’ve wanted to go to Copenhagen. All my cozy dreams came true when my roommate and I booked a weekend trip to the city of thick scarves and warm lattes.
We spent our days wandering around on cobblestone streets, exploring places like Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, Freetown Christiania, and Strøget. We sat for hours in tiny cafes and restaurants like Bottega Barlie, eating breakfasts of soft boiled eggs, cheese, and sourdough bread with freshly squeezed orange juice.
And while we loved immersing ourselves in everything Danish, when we passed by The American Pie Company on Skindergade 25, we couldn’t help but follow our noses inside, floating inside to get closer to the smells of freshly baked pie escaping through the open doors.
Tucked away on a street corner of a historic Copenhagen building, the pale blue walls of the tiny bakery were lined with pie tin decor, rolling pins hung by the large windows facing the bustling streets, and a large red neon sign “PIE” greeting you as soon as you step into the shop. It’s cozy, in true Copenhagen fashion, with families and friends sitting at the little wooden tables, as servers with trays of pies and coffees bustle past. The glass case at the front of the store held the real attraction. Freshly baked pies lined the shelves, ranging from savory meat and veggie to seasonal sweet pies that change every three. Each one looked better than the next, and with witty names like “Yo’ Mama’s Apple Cinnamon Pie” and “Scout’s Honor Fudge Brownie Pie” it was impossible to walk away without getting a slice (or two).
The American Pie Company started in 2015, the first American pie shop in Denmark. Established by Erin Eberhardt Chapman and Dorte Prip, the two women were the perfect pair to create this culture blend. One from Wisconsin and one from Denmark, they teamed up to create what they called “a home away from home” in Copenhagen; a spot to come and get a slice of nostalgia and a coffee. Homemade daily in their kitchen, located in the shop on Skindergade 25, the pie is phenomenal, and during a 6 month stay away from home, it was exactly what I needed to cure any homesickness that had found its way into my abroad experience. Not only can you buy a slice to eat in, they offer “take and bake” pies, and baking lessons for those looking to expand their culinary skills.
During our visit, my roommate and I ordered a slice of “Grandma’s Rhubarb Custard Pie” and “The Danny Boy” , a Bailey’s Irish Cream and Chocolate pie that is only available through the rest of March for St. Paddy’s Day. Rich, creamy, and perfectly flavored with that sweet tang that makes rhubarb pie so delicious, each bite made me happier than the last, and I found myself saddened when my plate was clean. Our lattes were delicious and cheap, and at our tiny table in the window, we sat laughing and people watching as we listened to blues music over the speakers like what my grandpa would play for me as a child.
There’s something about a slice of pie that brings out the inner child in everyone. An American classic, it was a little life preserver of familiarity in the great unknown of Europe. That was the inspiration behind the creation of The American Pie Company, and it fulfills its goal. Big fluffy scarves, oversized sweaters, and warm candles are all important aspects of Hygge, but sometimes to feel truly cozy, you need a little slice of home.
Cover Photo Courtesy of TheAmericanPieCo
Gusto Journal 