Baumkuchen
Encyclopedia
Baumkuchen is a kind of layered cake
. It is a traditional dessert in many countries throughout Europe and is also a popular snack and dessert in Japan. The characteristic rings that appear when sliced resemble tree rings, and give the cake its German name, Baumkuchen, which literally translates to "tree cake" or "log cake".
Baumkuchen ingredients are typically butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour. Baking powder is not considered a traditional ingredient. The ratio of flour, butter and eggs is typically 1:1:2 respectively (i.e., 100 grams of flour, 100 grams of butter and 200 grams of eggs). The recipe can be varied by adding other ingredients, such as ground nuts, honey, marzipan, nougat and rum or brandy, to the batter or filling. Additionally, Baumkuchen may be covered with sugar or chocolate glaze
. With some recipes, the fully baked and cooled Baumkuchen is first coated with marmalade or jam, and then covered with chocolate.
Baumkuchenspitzen, German for "Tree Cake Points," are miniature versions of Baumkuchen that are created from the cake scraps that fall during the cake's creation on a spit. These pieces are typically coated in chocolate and sold separately.
A simpler horizontally layered version of the cake called a "Schichttorte" also exists. It is baked without a spit and thus does not have circular rings but horizontal layers. The horizontally layered version results in a Baumkuchen that is more similar in shape to conventional cakes. It can also be baked in a conventional household oven that has a broiler inside, whereas the traditional spit version requires special equipment normally not available in an average household. However, unlike with the spit variant, the Schichttorte cross section is less reminiscent of tree rings.
, which is further popularized by the town itself. Another theory suggests it began as a Hungarian wedding cake. 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. Marx Rumpolt had previously worked as a chef in Hungary and Bohemia.
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.
shape.
It was first introduced to Japan by the German Karl Joseph Wilhelm Juchheim
. Juchheim was in the Chinese city of Tsingtao during World War I and when the war ended the Japanese Army removed him and his wife to Japan. Juchheim started making and selling the traditional confection at a German exhibition in Hiroshima
in 1919. Continued success allowed him to move to Yokohama
and open a bakery-store, but it was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, thus forcing him to move his operations to Kobe
, where he stayed until the end of World War II
. Some years later, his wife returned to help a Japanese company open a chain of bakeries under the Juchheim name that further helped spread Baumkuchen's popularity in Japan and is still in operation.
- Baumkuchen are known in Austria
as Prügelkrapfen - Baumkuchen in Luxembourg
, called Baamkuch, has become a traditional dish served mostly on special occasions, such as weddings./ - Sękacz/Šakotis
or Raguolis (Bamkuchinas as known in western part of Lithuania) is a similar cake also cooked on a spit, normally over an open fire. - Spettekaka
- Kürtőskalács
is a similar cake also cooked on a spit. - Skalický trdelník
Layer cake
A layer cake is a cake consisting of multiple layers, usually held together by frosting or another type of filling, such as jam or other preserves. Most cake recipes can be made into layer cakes; butter cakes and sponge cakes are common choices...
. It is a traditional dessert in many countries throughout Europe and is also a popular snack and dessert in Japan. The characteristic rings that appear when sliced resemble tree rings, and give the cake its German name, Baumkuchen, which literally translates to "tree cake" or "log cake".
Characteristics
Traditionally, Baumkuchen is made on a spit by brushing on even layers of batter and then rotating the spit around a heat source. Each layer is allowed to brown before a new layer of batter is poured. When the cake is removed and sliced, each layer is divided from the next by a golden line, resembling the growth rings on a crosscut tree. A typical Baumkuchen is made up of 15 to 20 layers of batter. However, the layering process for making Baumkuchen can continue until the cakes are quite large. Skilled pastry chefs have been known to create cakes with 25 layers and weighing over 100 pounds. When cooked on a spit, it is not uncommon for a finished Baumkuchen to be 3-4 feet tall.Baumkuchen ingredients are typically butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour. Baking powder is not considered a traditional ingredient. The ratio of flour, butter and eggs is typically 1:1:2 respectively (i.e., 100 grams of flour, 100 grams of butter and 200 grams of eggs). The recipe can be varied by adding other ingredients, such as ground nuts, honey, marzipan, nougat and rum or brandy, to the batter or filling. Additionally, Baumkuchen may be covered with sugar or chocolate glaze
Glaze (cooking technique)
A glaze in cooking is a coating of a glossy, often sweet, sometimes savoury, substance applied to food typically by dipping, dripping, or with a brush. Egg whites and basic icings are both used as glazes...
. With some recipes, the fully baked and cooled Baumkuchen is first coated with marmalade or jam, and then covered with chocolate.
A simpler horizontally layered version of the cake called a "Schichttorte" also exists. It is baked without a spit and thus does not have circular rings but horizontal layers. The horizontally layered version results in a Baumkuchen that is more similar in shape to conventional cakes. It can also be baked in a conventional household oven that has a broiler inside, whereas the traditional spit version requires special equipment normally not available in an average household. However, unlike with the spit variant, the Schichttorte cross section is less reminiscent of tree rings.
History
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 SalzwedelSalzwedel
Salzwedel of Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, and has a population of approximately 21,500. Salzwedel is located on the German Framework Road.-Geography:...
, which is further popularized by the town itself. Another theory suggests it began as a Hungarian wedding cake. In Ein new Kochbuch (lit. "A New Cookbook"), the first cookbook written for professional chefs by Marx Rumpolt
Marx Rumpolt
Marx Rumpolt was head cook to Elector of Mainz, Daniel Brendel of Homburg. His cookbook, Ein new Kochbuch , written in 1581, was the first textbook for professional chefs in training....
, 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. Marx Rumpolt had previously worked as a chef in Hungary and Bohemia.
Aside from its more modern history, Baumkuchen can trace its roots back to Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
and then Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, 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.
Baumkuchen in Japan
Baumkuchen is one of the most popular pastries in Japan, where it is called バウムクーヘン (baumukūhen), or often erroneously, バームクーヘン (bāmukūhen). It is a popular return present in Japan for wedding guests because of its ringWedding ring
A wedding ring or wedding band is a metal ring indicating the wearer is married. Depending on the local culture, it is worn on the base of the right or the left ring finger. The custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond its origin in Europe...
shape.
It was first introduced to Japan by the German Karl Joseph Wilhelm Juchheim
Karl Joseph Wilhelm Juchheim
Karl Joseph Wilhelm Juchheim was a German confectioner who first introduced baumkuchen, a traditional German layered cake, to Japan...
. Juchheim was in the Chinese city of Tsingtao during World War I and when the war ended the Japanese Army removed him and his wife to Japan. Juchheim started making and selling the traditional confection at a German exhibition in Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
in 1919. Continued success allowed him to move to Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
and open a bakery-store, but it was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, thus forcing him to move his operations to Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, where he stayed until the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Some years later, his wife returned to help a Japanese company open a chain of bakeries under the Juchheim name that further helped spread Baumkuchen's popularity in Japan and is still in operation.
Other regional variations
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
as Prügelkrapfen - Baumkuchen in Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, called Baamkuch, has become a traditional dish served mostly on special occasions, such as weddings./ - Sękacz/Šakotis
Šakotis
Lithuanian Šakotis or Raguolis or Polish sękacz is a popular Lithuanian-Polish traditional cake....
or Raguolis (Bamkuchinas as known in western part of Lithuania) is a similar cake also cooked on a spit, normally over an open fire. - Spettekaka
Spettekaka
Spettekaka or spettkaka ") is a local dessert of the southern parts of Sweden, chiefly in the province of Scania but also in Halland...
- Kürtőskalács
Kürtoskalács
Kürtőskalács or kürtős kalács is a Hungarian pastry also known as chimney cake, stove cake, or Hungarian wedding cake. It is baked on a tapered cylindrical spit over an open fire. Originally from Transylvania, it is famous as Hungary's oldest pastry...
is a similar cake also cooked on a spit. - Skalický trdelník
Trdelník
Trdelník is a traditional cake and sweet pastry, from the Slovak town of Skalica. It is made from rolled dough, wrapped around a stick then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix.- History :Its production has a long tradition in Skalica...
In popular culture
- In Clamp'sClamp (manga artists), is an all-female Japanese manga artist group that formed in the mid 1980s. Many of the group's manga series are often adapted into anime after release. It consists of their leader , who provides much of the storyline and screenplay for all their works and adaptations of those works respectively ,...
manga series Kobato., the character Genko runs a Baumkuchen shop in the woods. - Baumkuchen is made during class in the manga series Yumeiro PatissiereYumeiro Patissiereis a shōjo manga and anime series by Natsumi Matsumoto. It began serialization on September 3, 2008, in the October 2008 issue of Ribon. The individual chapters have been collected into nine tankōbon volumes by Shueisha as of May 2011. The series ended on June 3, 2011, and is expected to be 10...
. - Top Chef: Just DessertsTop Chef: Just DessertsTop Chef: Just Desserts is an American reality competition show, spun off from Top Chef. It premiered on the cable television network Bravo on September 15, 2010. Top Chef: Just Desserts features pastry chefs competing in a series of culinary challenges, focusing on pastries and desserts...
contestant Morgan Wilson made a horizontally layered Baumkuchen as part of his final course in the first season finale. - In the video game Harvest Moon: Tree of TranquilityHarvest Moon: Tree of Tranquilityis a farming simulation video game by Marvelous Interactive released exclusively for Nintendo's Wii console...
, a Baumkuchen is available at the bottom of Gelato Mine. - In Gainax'sGainaxis a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
animated show, Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, Stocking orders Baumkuchen through a company called "Hop Whip White Baumkuchen." (Episode name: Nothing to Room) - In chapter 781 of Gosho Aoyama's manga series Detective Conan, characters are shown serving Baumkuchen while investigating a case.
- In Fumiya Satō's manga series Young Kindaichi Case FilesKindaichi Case Filesis a serialized Japanese mystery manga series based on the crime solving adventures of a high school student, Hajime Kindaichi, the supposed grandson of the famous private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. They are written by Yōzaburō Kanari or Seimaru Amagi and illustrated by Fumiya Satō...
, Miyuki is found eating Baumkuchen in the murder case of Kenmochi. - In chapter 18 of Yoshitoshi ABeYoshitoshi ABeis a Japanese graphic artist who works predominantly in anime and manga. He received his Master of Fine Arts from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. His works have an edgy style due to, among other things, his not using a ruler while drawing as is usual for most anime-style art....
's manga series Ryushika Ryushika, Ryushika's big sister bought a sliced Baumkuchen.