Kue lapis legit or thousand layers cake are best suited for snacks accompanied by warm fresh tea. Because there will be a mixture of flavors between sweet and bitter so that it is balanced. This cake is served as a holiday treat, especially for natal, imlek and lebaran.
INGREDIENTS
Batter A
- 300 gram unsalted butter
- 120 gram sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp rum
- 1/2 tbsp spekkoek seasoning
- 90 gram cake flour
- 1/4 tbsp salt
Batter B
- 12 egg yolks
- 85 gram sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla paste
Batter C
- 6 egg whites
- 55 gram sugar
- 1/4 tbsp cream of tartar
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 200 Celcius, prepare an 8" square cake pan with parchment paper.
First step, use a mixing bowl for cream butter, sweetened condensed milk and rum at medium speed until fluffy, about 10 minutes. Add in cake flour, spekkoek seasoning and salt. Mix again until blended.
Next, in another mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, the vanilla paste and sugar at high speed until thick.
Wash, dry and clean your mixer bowl then whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then add cream of tartar and add remaining sugar and whisk again until soft and glossy. Gently fold this through the egg and flour mixture.
Now we will need to combine all the different batters together. First, add batter B into batter A, mix until well combined. Then using a spatula, fold in 1/3 of batter C into batter A/B combo until well mixed, then fold in the rest of batter C until well mixed.
For the first layer, spread a small amount of batter, about 1/8 inch, on the prepared pan. And bake in the center rack of preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
For the second layer onward, turn off the oven, but switch on the oven broiler, position the rack near the top closer to the heating element. Spread batter evenly (about 1/8 inch), the batter will look more melted and runnier once placed into the pan and bang the pan on the countertop to remove air bubbles. Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden brown, you will need to stand watch and be extra careful from here on out. Each broiler heats differently, and yours may need less or more time, but be extra diligent in the first few layers so you don't accidentally end up with burnt cake. Once a layer is cooked and looks golden brown, add another layer, bang it a bit on the countertop and broil again. Continue doing this until the batter is all used up.
Cool the cake in the pan for 30 minutes. Then, gently work a sharp knife around the edges to loosen the cake. Gently turn the cake out onto a wiring rack and cool the cake completely.
This is one of the most delicious and delicious cakes and also very suitable for exclusive dishes at both fancy and simple events.
About Thousand Layers Cake
Kue lapis legit (Spekkoek) or spekuk in Indonesian is a type of Indonesian layer cake. It was developed during colonial times in the Dutch East Indies. The firm-textured cake is an Indo (Dutch-Indonesian) version of the European multi-layered spit cake. However it is not baked on a rotating spit, and contains a mix of Indonesian spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, mace and anise. The cake is made of flour and yolk and is rich in butter or margarine.
Spekkoek is popular in Indonesia and is served as a holiday treat, especially for natal, imlek, and lebaran. It is also served or given as gifts during many local festivities such as at birthday parties and weddings. In the Netherlands, the sliced cake is traditionally served for dessert in rijsttafel.
Fun Facts about Thousand Layers Cake
Thousand Layers Cake Fun Facts: Spekkoek is a traditional Dutch-Indonesian spice layered cake. It contains a mix of spices, such as cinnamon.
- The lapis legit cake is often served during celebrations or gatherings, such as Eid al Fitr, Christmas, family gatherings or simply a snack to accompany a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea. It is no wonder, therefore, that this cake was named as one of the most delicious cakes in the world and considered as a proud Indonesian heritage. The painstaking labor that one must set aside behind the making of this simple looking cake is truly worth it. At a glance, this layered cake looks simple enough to munch without a second thought. However, the baking process is a complicated feat that could take hours and hours as each layer is made separately.
- “The process of making a lapis legit cake requires patience and diligence, which reflects the baker. I admire all pastry makers who still preserve the culture of baking the lapis legit cake,” said Tourism Ministry’s Culinary and Shopping Tourism Acceleration Team Head, Vita Datau on Saturday (15/4/2017). The best quality lapis legit cakes use Dutch Wijsman butter and a lot of egg yolks. However, what makes this cake special are the spices that are mixed in this sweet, moist and firm layer cake also known as Spekkoek. The combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg results in a simply irresistible cake. “Initially, this cake was made by a Dutch person who lived in Indonesia using Indonesian spices, such as cinnamon,” Vita explained. “We must preserve this tradition by teaching our children to be proud of Indonesia’s spices through this delicious cake adored by many.”
- But that's not all. There are also a few interesting facts about the delicious cake that was first created during the Dutch colonial era. Up to 30, or sometimes even 40, eggs are used to bake it. A lapis legit cake can last for up to a week, stored in the fridge, without it changing texture. The price of a lapis legit cake is also quite expensive compared to other cakes considering its complicated baking process.
- Inspired by the European layered cake with an Asian twist added, lapis legit was first created during the Dutch colonial era, according to CNN’s article of the world’s 17 most delicious national cakes. Aside from preparing the cake layer by layer, each layer must also be of the same size. One lapis legit cake can consist of up to 18 thin layers, but could add up to 20 to 22 layers of yummy goodness.
- Lapis legit cake was originally named Spekkoek. The name Spekkoek loosely translated means ‘fatty cake’. So no matter how good or addictive it is, just remember that this cake is made using tons of eggs and butter, so better go easy on munching this delicious treat. Remember, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.
