Spekkoek

Spekkoek (or kue lapis legit) is a type of Indonesian layer cake. It was developed during the colonial period in the Dutch East Indies. The firm-textured cake is an Indo (Dutch-Indonesian) version of the European multi-layered spit cake. However, it is not baked on a rotating spit, and contains a mix of Indonesian spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, mace and anise.

History

The cake is believed to have been created by Dutch colonists in Indonesia during the Dutch East Indies period. The name spekkoek translates to 'bacon cake', which is derived from its appearance of dark and light layers resembling bacon. However, the cake does not contain any bacon or pork products.

Preparation

The main ingredients of spekkoek are butter, flour, and sugar, with an approximate ratio of 1:1:2. The cake is made of thin layers of batter. Each layer is individually baked, which makes the process very labor-intensive. The batter is mainly flavored with ground spices, typically a mix of cinnamon, clove, mace, and cardamom. Some variations use other ingredients, such as ground almonds, cashew nuts, cheese, prunes, and raisins.

Cultural Significance

Spekkoek is a popular cake in Indonesia, especially for festive occasions, such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Eid al-Fitr. It is often served in slices, which show the layers of the cake. The cake is also popular in the Netherlands, especially for special occasions and holidays.

See Also

• Indonesian cuisine
• Dutch East Indies
• Dutch cuisine