Butterkuchen
 | This article needs more citations. (February 2017) |
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| Alternative names | Zuckerkuchen |
|---|---|
| Type | Sheet cake |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Main ingredients | Flour, butter, sugar |
Butterkuchen or Zuckerkuchen is a simple German butter cake baked on a tray.[1] Flakes of butter, which, after baking, form the characteristic holes, are distributed on the dough.[1] The whole cake is sprinkled with sugar or streusel.[1] After further kneading the Butterkuchen is baked. As a variation the dough can be sprinkled with roasted almond flakes.
Butterkuchen is a favourite element of Westphalian and North German coffee tables. It is also served at weddings and funerals and, as a result, is sometimes called Freud-und-Leid-Kuchen ("joy and sorrow cake") or Beerdigungskuchen ("funeral cake").[citation needed]
A regional variation is to sprinkle the Butterkuchen with a sugar-cinnamon mixture rather than with sugar alone. This is very similar to Moravian Sugar Cake.
In Germany in the trade, at least 30 parts butter, clarified butter or butterfat must be used to 100 parts of flour.[citation needed]
Large tray of Butterkuchen
Close-up of texture on top. Melted pieces of butter create depressions on the surface.
Butterkuchen with almond slices on top
A sailor prepares butterkuchen for the crew.
See also
[edit]
Sources
[edit]- 1 2 3 Weiss, L. (2016). Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Gugelhupf to Streuselkuchen. Ten Speed Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-60774-825-0. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- IREKS-GmbH: IREKS-ABC der Bäckerei, Eigenverlag Kulmbach
External links
[edit]- Deutscher Butterkuchen - German Buttercake recipe
- An Old Custom, Funeral Cakes - NY Times