Spekkoek

• Prep time: 40 mins

• Cook time: 1 hr

• Total time: 1 hr 40 mins

• Servings: 16 slices

• Country of origin: Netherlands (Indo-Dutch)

• Description: A delicate layered spice cake created during the colonial era featuring alternating light vanilla and dark spiced layers.

• Presentation: Sliced into paper-thin vertical wedges showcasing distinct alternating light and dark thin layers.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 10 eggs, separated

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves

  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

• Step-by-step directions:

  • Cream butter and sugar until pale; beat in egg yolks one at a time, then fold in flour.

  • Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter gently.

  • Divide batter into two equal bowls; stir vanilla into one bowl, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom) into the second.

  • Grease a springform cake pan. Spread a thin layer of plain batter on bottom and broil under oven heating element for 2 minutes until set.

  • Spread a thin layer of spiced batter on top and broil for 2 minutes.

  • Repeat alternating layers until all batter is used.

• Optional variations: Replace dark spices with pandan extract for green and white layers.

• Cooking tips: Watch broiling process constantly to avoid burning delicate individual layers.

• Nutrition facts:

  • Calories: 260 kcal

  • Fat: 16g

  • Carbohydrates: 24g

  • Protein: 5g