Šakotis
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The Tale of Šakotis
Story updated
Šakotis, Lithuania's "tree cake," is built by dripping batter over a rotating spit so it bakes into spiky, branch-like layers, a technique closely related to Poland's sękacz. The two nations' shared history under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth likely explains the overlap, and it remains a centerpiece of Lithuanian wedding celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale:· 12 servings
- 10 eggs, separated
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups butter, softened
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- 1Beat the egg yolks with sugar and softened butter until pale, light, and fluffy.
- 2Beat the egg whites separately with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
- 3Fold the flour and sour cream into the yolk mixture alternately, then gently fold in the vanilla extract.
- 4Carefully fold the stiffened egg whites into the batter to keep it light and airy.
- 5Set up a rotating spit (traditionally over an open flame or in front of a special oven) and brush it lightly with butter.
- 6Ladle a thin layer of batter over the rotating spit and let it cook until set and lightly browned before adding the next thin layer.
- 7Continue building up layer by layer, rotating and basting with batter, until a tall, spiky, tree-like cake forms with characteristic branch-like protrusions.
- 8Let the finished cake cool completely on the spit before carefully removing and slicing to serve, traditionally at celebrations.
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