In Polish: Sękacz (Lithuanian: Šakotis also known as Bankuchenas in western Lithuania) is a popular Polish- Lithuanian traditional cake. The cake became popular during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1791). Its origins are attributed to either the Italian Queen Bona Sforza of Poland or the Baltic tribe of Yotvingians. The Yotvingians settled in the early and high Middle Ages in Podlasie, while Bona Sforza is known to have implemented many agriculture, infrastructure and manufacture reforms. Sękacz is shaped like a pine tree with layers that end up looking like branches. Made of a thick batter containing more than 40 eggs, sękacz is cooked on a spit over an open fire for 10 hours or more. As each layer is cooked to a golden brown, another layer is added, developing the spikey forms that resemble branches. When it is finished, the cake will stand vertically with a hollow center where the baker can place flowers, candy or fruit. As the cake is sliced from the top, the rings from the layers look like the rings in the trunk of a tree. It can be drizzled with chocolate or icing, but many people also enjoy the cake plain. The size of the cake varies from as small as four inches to over three feet. Skilled pastry chefs have created sękacz cakes that weigh more than 100 pounds.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:46:11 +0000
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