Spekkoek - Indonesia #156

 Spekkoek- Indonesia #156

Spekkoek is a delicious layered spiced cake. Unlike most cakes, spekkoek is made under the broil setting in the oven. Each thin layer has to set before the next layer of batter can be added.  These alternating layers of light and dark batter combine to create a striated cake. Give yourself plenty of time to make the cake. Even though this version has a 8 layers, it will still take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to complete. It’s worth the effort.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. Butter
• 1 c. Sugar
• 5 eggs (separated)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1 c. All-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. Ground cardamom
• 1/8 tsp. Ground nutmeg
• 1/4 c. Butter (melted, for brushing)

1. Beat the butter smooth, preferably with an electric mixer.
2. Add half of sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract and beat thoroughly.
4. Whisk the egg whites in a spotless, grease-free bowl until light and frothy.  Remember that the whisk should also be clean and free of the merest trace of grease, otherwise you will not get the desired volume from your egg whites.
5. Gradually add the other half of the sugar to the foamy egg whites, while continuing to whip the egg whites slowly and steadily.
6. Set the mixer setting higher and beat until the egg whites form stiff peaks that do not collapse when you pull out the whisk.
7. Add a generous tablespoon of the egg whites to the butter mixture and mix well.
8. Using a spatula, gently fold in 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter batter, followed by a 1/3 of the remaining egg whites.
9. Repeat twice, each time folding in a 1/3 of the flour mixture and then a 1/3 of the egg whites.  Do not over-mix, stop folding once the batter becomes uniform in color.  Now place 1/2 the batter into another bowl.
10. Carefully but thoroughly whisk the spices into the batter of one of the bowls.
11. Heat the broiler and wait until it’s nice and hot.
12. Grease the 8” spring form pan.
13. Using a plastic dough scraper, spread 1/4 of the unsliced batter over the bottom of the pan, ensuring a flat, smooth layer.  The batter should be evenly distributed, without thick or thin spots and the side of the mold should be kept clean.
14. Place the pan under the broiler until the batter becomes puffed, golden and cooked.  The first layer will take longer than the rest, because its slightly lower in the pan and therefore further from the heat source.
15. It should take about 5 minutes to cook, but make sure the layer is cooked before adding the nest layer of batter.
16. Remove the pan from the oven.
17. Brush the top of the cake layer with melted butter and spread  1/4  of the spiced batter on top.
18. Again, spread the batter out evenly and smoothly, and place the pan back under the broiler.
19. Once this layer is cooked (after about 3 minutes), remove the pan from the oven and brush with butter.
20. Again, spread 1/4 of the unspiced batter over the cooked layer and keep repeating this process using contrasting layers of spiced and unspiced batter until all the batter and butter are used up.  You should end up with 8 cake layers with alternating light and dark colors.
21. When the first layer has been cooked and removed from the oven , carefully loosen the cake from the side of the pan.
22. Release the clamp of the spring form, remove the cake and allow to cool on a wire rack.
23. Once the cake has cooled down, wrap it up in a few layers of plastic wrap and store in a cool place outside the refrigerator.
24. Serve spekkoek in thin slices,

Results: I made 1/2 measure and used a 6” round pan. I ended up with 6 layers, not 8. It not only looked impressive when sliced but tasted yummy, especially with an espresso. I wished I had made the 8” round cake.

Bottom Line: Everyone liked it. This is one I’ll hang onto.

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