…. is a kind of layered cake ….
It is highly disputed who made the first Baumkuchen and where it was first baked. One theory is that it was invented in the German town of Salzwedel, which is further popularized by the town itself. Another theory suggests it began as a Hungarian wedding cake, although given its German name this is doubtful. In Ein new Kochbuch (lit. “A New Cookbook”), the first cookbook written for professional chefs by Marx Rumpolt, there is a recipe for Baumkuchen. This publication puts the origin of Baumkuchen as far back at 1581, the year the cookbook was first published.
Aside from its more modern history, Baumkuchen can trace its roots back to Ancient Greece and then Rome, with the Romans bringing the recipe for baking cakes on logs over an open fire to modern day Germany and the surrounding regions with their conquest of Northern Europe.
Anyway, it was Michelle’s Birthday today. With all this talk of Baumkuchen, I thought I’ll make one …. in a pan, rather than on the spit. It is really straight forward, but time consuming. I got out my best recipe …. from K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker Demel’s Söhne in Vienna …. , and started baking. I will not bother with the recipe. There are plenty out there ….. But, if you want this particular one, and you will be hard pressed to find a better one, you’ll have to go to Vienna to Demel’s, or come and see me here in Beirut, Lebanon.
But that much I will tell:
A 24cm cake has
10 eggs
½ kg Lubeck Marzipan (60%)
¼ kg butter
¼ kg bitter chocolate
a good shot of Grand Marnier
an even better shot of Bourbon
and a bit more …
It is cooked in layers ….
…. and layers
…. and another layer
…. and when the pan is full, and the cake is done …. let it cool
… prepare your favorite recipe of chocolate glaze
…. cover and decorate if desired.
And …. VOILÀ
BAUMKUCHEN in a pan