Dutch Cake Food

BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTER CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8 inch round cake pans, or 9 inch pie plates.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, reserving just enough to brush over the tops, about 1 tablespoon. Stir in the almond extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter by hand using a sturdy spoon. The dough will be stiff.
• Press evenly into the two prepared pans. Press almond halves into the top where each slice would be. Brush the tops with a thin layer of the reserved egg.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Cut into wedges to serve.

DUTCH CAKE

Steps:

• Turn oven on to 350 F.
• Cake: Cream the butter and sugar, add egg and then the dry ingredients which have been sifted together first.
• Press into a non-stick flat tin.
• Topping: Cream the butter and sugar and then add the sifted dry ingredients.
• Spread over the cake mixture.
• Bake until cooked which usually takes 20-30 minutes.

DUTCH APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• This cake has been made at Ballymaloe for years. We even have guests who ask for it specifically every time they visit. The fruit sinks to the bottom as it cooks, leaving a light sponge on top with a lovely sugary crust.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line the sides and base of a 8 by 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
• Using an electric whisk or hand held mixer, whisk the eggs, 6 ounces caster sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl, until the mixture is thick and mousse-like, and the whisk leaves a figure of eight pattern, this will take about 5 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan with the milk, and then pour the mixture onto the eggs, whisking continuously. Sift in the flour, cinnamon, and baking powder, and fold carefully into the batter so that there are no lumps of flour. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, and smooth the surface.
• Peel and core the apples, and cut them into thin slices, and then arrange them over the batter. They will sink to the bottom. This is meant to happen! Sprinkle the cake with the remaining 1/2 ounce sugar, and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and bake until well risen and golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Allow the cake to cool in the tin, cut into squares and serve warm. It is delicious with cream!

DUTCH APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180C/gas mark 4/fan 160C. Grease and line a 20cm cake tin.
• Cream the margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork.
• Mix the eggs, a little at a time to the margarine and sugar. Sieve in the flour and baking powder.
• Spread the mixture into the cake tin.
• Core the apple and slice thinly. Arrange the apple slices over the cake mix and then sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on top.
• Place in the oven and bake for around 20 minutes, until golden brown and springy to the touch.

OMA'S BOTERKOEK (DUTCH BUTTERCAKE)

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix together butter, sugar and almond extract.
• Add beaten egg except for 1 teaspoon.
• Sift flour and baking powder, and add to bowl, mixing with wet ingredients.
• Put dough in greased 9 inch pie plate.
• Mix the reserved 1 tsp of beaten egg with 1 tsp of water, and brush over dough.
• Sprinkle with sliced almonds, if desired. (My Oma always used the almonds, it looks pretty and adds a nice touch!).
• Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until done (firm to the touch).
• This is a dense cake, but should be soft on the inside and hard on the outside, but not too hard!