Baamkuch — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

A spectacular multi-layered cake baked ring by ring on a rotating spit, with a golden exterior and distinctive tree-ring pattern inside.

Ingredients

1 Cream butter and half the sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg yolks one at a time with vanilla and lemon zest.
2 Whisk egg whites with remaining sugar to stiff peaks. Fold into yolk mixture alternating with sifted flour and cornstarch.
3 Heat a Baumkuchen spit or preheat broiler. Brush a thin layer of batter onto the spit or cake pan.
4 Broil until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Brush another thin layer and broil again. Repeat 15-20 times.
5 Each layer creates a visible ring, building up the characteristic tree-ring pattern.
6 Cool completely. Optionally glaze with melted dark chocolate. Slice to reveal the beautiful concentric rings.

Did You Know?

A traditional Baamkuch can take over 3 hours to bake, with each of its 15-20 layers requiring individual attention under the broiler.