The delectable baumkuchen, a German layered cake, is known for its intricate concentric circles and delicate flavor. Characterized by its distinctive cylindrical shape and tree-like rings, this cake is a true masterpiece of the baking world. Originating in Germany in the 19th century, baumkuchen quickly gained popularity and became a beloved treat enjoyed at festivities and celebrations. With its unique appearance and captivating taste, it continues to be a sought-after dessert, cherished for its historical significance and exceptional culinary value.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
BAUMKUCHEN -- THE KING OF CAKES!
Baumkuchen has earned its reputation as the "King of Cakes." This labor-intensive German cake gets it name, which translates literally as Tree Cake, from the many thin rings that form as layer upon layer of cake is baked. 200 years German bakers have been producing this treat. The cake is sliced showing each layer is divided from the next by a golden line, resembling the rings on a crosscut tree. Christmas holiday treat.
Provided by Rita1652
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Whip butter and sugar well until creamy. Gradually add egg yolks and the rum, zest, salt, almonds, flour and cornstarch to the butter-sugar mixture until a light, foamy batter forms.
- Beat egg whites until very stiff and fold gently into the batter.
- Pour about 2 tablespoons batter (a thin covering) into a 8-1/2" springform pan greased with butter.
- On the uppermost oven rack,
- or broil in a preheated for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Watch carefully, this browning can take place very quickly.
- Repeat until all the batter is gone -- you should have about 14 to 16 layers. When the cake is done, let it stand a few minutes before running a sharp knife along the sides of the pan. Remove the cake from the pan and glaze with melted apricot jam. Once the jam is set, you can add an additional glaze of thinned almond paste or immediately finish the cake with a thin icing made from powered sugar or the highest quality chocolate available (use your favorite chocolate).
BAUMKUCHEN
In a small town in German some guy had an amazing idea back over 500 years ago. He was like "Hey, I can make a cake with many many thin layers by cooking each layer at a time really fast." My only guess is that the original experiments he made probably wasn't that great, but it was a recipe that had over 500 years to be...
Provided by Maggie May Schill
Categories Fruit Desserts
Time 9h15m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- 1. Be sure all ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. Set oven to broil. Adjust wracks in your oven so that the wrack you will be using isn't too close to the heating unit of the oven.
- 2. Whip the egg whites in a large mixing bowl into peaks. Basically until it looks like whipped cream.
- 3. With a standing mixer or hand mixer, cream almond paste together with cream, about one tablespoon at a time. Fully incorporating each bit of cream before adding more.
- 4. Cream butter into almond paste mixture until it is very fluffy. Scrape down sides.
- 5. Beat sugar into batter until completely incorporated. Scrape down sides.
- 6. Beat in one egg yolk at a time.
- 7. Beat in vanilla extract.
- 8. In a separate large mixing bowl, sift flour together with cornstarch.
- 9. Add flour to the almond paste batter in thirds, completely incorporating the flour with each addition
- 10. Gentle fold the egg whites into the batter until completely incorporated.
- 11. Now for fun! Grease a 9 inch spring form pan and lay a parchment paper circle at its bottom.
- 12. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the batter evenly on the bottom on the pan. Side note: A trick for spreading batter evenly, simply let gravity do it for you. Put batter in your pan and tip your pan to the side and rotate until the entire area is coated. Super flat and super even that way.
- 13. Bake pan for 40 to 120 seconds, or until batter turns a nice golden color. The darker the layer the more visible it will be when you cut into the cake. But do NOT burn anything. Any burning will ruin the entire cake!
- 14. Every other layer of the cake will only be about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter. The first layer was more to provide a base and so the parchment wouldn't burn or curl.
- 15. Every 2 or 3 layers spread an even layer of preserve on the cake before pouring in more batter. It'll sweeten and moisten the cake.
- 16. Repeat broiling instructions until you run out of batter. Will make between 20 and 30 layers.
- 17. Once you are done broiling(not baking), cool cake completely then refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- 18. Once cake is refrigerated start working on your glaze. Firstly by heating a small sauce pan on medium-low heat.
- 19. Melt butter in pan then add chocolate and corn syrup. Stir continuously to keep from burning.
- 20. Once chocolate is completely melted add rum and extracts. Mix well.
- 21. Coat entire cake with apricot preserves, as much as you wish or have left. Spread evenly.
- 22. Pour chocolate glaze over cake and spread evenly with a spatula. Glaze will set as it cools.
- 23. Garnish cake with almonds and chocolate curls if desired.
BAUMKUCHEN
A true Swiss Baumkuchen is almost impossible to make at home. It requires a rotating spit, and almost a gallon of batter, and loads of time. This is a smaller version, although it too takes time. The results taste a little like a Kit-Kat bar. The many layers will remind you of the famous Dobostorte.
Provided by Kevin Ryan
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Swiss
Time 1h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Butter a 9 inch square metal pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom. Butter the parchment, and flour the whole pan. Position the rack of the oven to the lowest level, and preheat the broiler.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine until light and fluffy. Add in the almond paste in small chunks; beat until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt. Beat in the yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat until smooth.
- In another bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Add in the sugar slowly while continuing to beat the meringue to stiff, glossy peaks. Fold the meringue into the yolk mixture. Sift the flour over this, and fold in.
- Spoon a small amount of batter onto the parchment in the baking pan. With a pastry brush, paint the batter on. You want to cover the paper completely, but have a thin layer. Place under the broiler, and cook until light brown; this should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Brush another layer of the batter over the cake, and place under the broiler. Continue on in this way until all of the batter is used. Cool completely. Turn the cake out of the pan, and trim the edges clean.
- In a double boiler, combine the chocolate and the oil. Heat until the chocolate is smooth. With a pastry brush, brush one side of the trimmed cake with some chocolate. Don't make it too thick. Allow this to harden. Turn the cake over, and brush the other side. Allow the cake to set. Cut the cake into 6 narrow strips, each about 1-1/2 inches wide. Brush the sides and top with the glaze, and allow to set. Store in the refrigerator, but serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 461.7 calories, Carbohydrate 55.9 g, Cholesterol 69.7 mg, Fat 25.6 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 32.6 mg, Sugar 33.5 g
Tips:
- Use the freshest ingredients possible. The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your baumkuchen will be.
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before you start baking. This will help it to cream together with the sugar more easily.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the baumkuchen tough.
- Bake the baumkuchen in a preheated oven. This will help it to rise evenly.
- Don't open the oven door while the baumkuchen is baking. This can cause the cake to fall.
- Let the baumkuchen cool completely before you glaze it. This will help the glaze to set properly.
Conclusion:
With a little patience and care, you can create a delicious and impressive baumkuchen that will wow your friends and family. These tips will help you to achieve the perfect baumkuchen every time. So what are you waiting for? Start baking!
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