Bakelse-Jeanna (1702–1788), was a Swedish pastry-seller, the name signifying "Pastry-Jeanna". She was a well known and distinctive character in Stockholm at that time, and often used as a figure within Swedish plays, songs and literature during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Jeanna originated from Åland, and spent her life as a street seller (månglerska) of cakes in Stockholm, where she became a familiar figure. She came to be included in fiction during her lifetime.
She was a character in the comedy Donnerpamp by Carl Israel Hallman from 1782.[1] She came to be mentioned as a minor character in many works of Swedish literature during the 19th century. A song about her runs:
| Swedish song | Prose translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Känner du Bakelse-Jeanna? Ja, nog känner ja’na Och har känt’na i många år! | Do you know Pastry-Jeanna? Yes, sure I've known her And have known her for many years! | |
| Hon går på Stockholms gator, Säljer pepparkakor, Tar för stycket så mycket hon får. | She walks on Stockholm's streets, Sells gingerbread, For as much as she can get for each piece. |
The name "Bakelse-Jeanna" was long used in Stockholm as a name for female pastry street vendors.[2]