Spettekaka facts for kids
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| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Sweden |
| Region or state | Scania and Halland |
| Main ingredients | Eggs, potato starch flour, sugar |
Spettekaka (say "spet-teh-KAH-ka") is a special dessert from southern Sweden. It's mostly found in a region called Scania, but also in Halland. This cake is a big part of the food traditions in Scania.
The name "Spettekaka" means "cake on a spit." This name tells you how it's made! It's Sweden's version of a "spit cake," which is a type of cake cooked slowly on a turning rod over heat.
Contents
How is Spettekaka Made?
To make Spettekaka, a special mixture is used. It's mostly made from eggs, a type of flour called potato starch flour, and sugar. This mixture is slowly poured onto a skewer or rod. The rod spins slowly over an open fire or another heat source.
As the rod turns, the mixture bakes in layers, forming a tall, cone-shaped cake. The finished cake is very dry and crisp. To keep it that way, it's wrapped tightly in a sealed plastic bag. It should only be unwrapped right before you eat it, so it stays crunchy!
Sizes and Serving Spettekaka
Spettekaka cakes can be different sizes. Some are just a few inches tall. Others can be several feet high and more than a foot wide!
When a very large Spettekaka is served, people don't use a knife. Instead, they gently saw off pieces using a hacksaw blade. This is because the cake is so dry and crisp that it would crumble or break if you used a regular knife or pushed too hard. The goal is to leave as much of the tall cake standing as possible.
People often enjoy Spettekaka with strong coffee. Sometimes, it's served with vanilla ice cream and a sweet drink called port wine.
A Giant Cake! The World Record
Did you know there's a world record for the largest Spettekaka? It was baked in a town called Sjöbo in Scania, Sweden, back in 1985. This amazing cake was mentioned in the 1986 Guinness Book of Records.
It was incredibly tall, reaching 3.6 meters (about 11.8 feet) high! And it was all baked in one single piece.
Special Status for Skånsk Spettekaka
The Spettekaka from Scania, called Skånsk spettkaka, has a special status. It's protected under European Union law as a "Protected Geographical Indication" (PGI). This means that only Spettekaka made in Scania, following traditional methods, can be called Skånsk spettkaka. It's like a special label that shows where the food comes from and how it's made.
Similar Cakes Around the World
Spit cakes are popular in many countries! Here are a few examples of cakes made in a similar way:
- Baumkuchen - from Germany
- Šakotis - from Lithuania
- Kürtőskalács - from Hungary
- Trdelník - from the Czech Republic and Slovakia (this one also has PGI status!)
- Sękacz - from Poland
See also
In Spanish: Spettekaka para niños
