Deliciously Delectable Cakes

France

Galette De Rois or King's Cake is a traditional cake usually eaten after Christmas in the first week of January. This is a tantalizing cake that consists of buttery puff pastry layers that have been topped with powdered sugar, wrapping around rich almond cream. During the baking process, the outer layer gets a nice toasted look.

Germany

Germans know cake and they also know their forests and putting the two together you have Black Forest Cake. It is a traditional cake that comes from the Black Forest region. it is a tantalizing combination of layers of chocolate with cherries in between. All of this delicious perfection is topped by whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and some cherries on top.

Poland

Kremowka is a Polish creation and can have different names in Central and Eastern European countries. This cake has two layers of thin and crisp puff pastry that are separated by vanilla-flavored pastry cream It can be dusted with powdered sugar. In Poland, this is also referred to as Napoleonka, named after a similar French dessert that is a combination of three layers of puff pastry with pastry cream.

Hungary

Rigo Janesi is a classic Hungarian dessert that is a combination of two layers of chocolate sponge cake with delicious mousse-like cocoa cream in between. The cake can be flavored with a splash of dark rum and it all gets covered with a rich, dark chocolate ganache.

Russia

Russia has a delectable cake creation named Pitchye Moloko. This cake has thin, fluffy, and moist layers of sponge cake that are separated by souffle-like custard and the entire confection is covered by a rich chocolate ganache glaze. The cake made its debut in 1978 when the head patisserie Chef Vladimir Guralnik, at Moscow's prestigious restaurant Praga presented it.

Austria

Linzertorte is an Austrian creation named after the city of Linz. It is also considered to be the oldest cake in the world. This delicious creation has a crumbly, buttery, pastry shell that has been accented with lemon juice, cinnamon, and almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts.

The torte is filled with redcurrant jam and raspberry or apricot can be used as well, The top of the torte has a lattice crust with a criss-cross design. Today it is a holiday classic in Austria.

Sweden

Kladdkaka is a popular Swedish dessert. This rich and delicious chocolate cake is a combination of eggs, cocoa, butter, sugar and flour whisked together. The cake should have a moist center and the outer layers with a thin, crunchy coating, The cake is heavy on the bitter chocolate so it is dusted with a layer of powdered sugar and served with whipped cream or ice cream on the side.

Scotland

Dundee cake comes from Scotland and is a traditional Scottish fruit cake that consists of raisins and currants but cherries can also be used. This delicious creation is light in texture and has a rich flavor. To add moistness to the cake a splash of Scotch whisky can be added. The cake is decorated with almonds that are placed in concentric circles.

Italy

Panettone comes from Italy and is a traditional sweet bread loaf originating in northern Italy. It is a dessert cake that is usually eaten at Christmas or New Year's Eve. Inside of this delectable cake are different kinds of candied fruits and raisins.

England

From England comes Victoria sponge which is an English layer cake delectably filled with fruit jam and at time whipped cream. This is a creation of the cooks of Queen Victoria in the 19th century and was the highlight of her parties. The jam used is usually raspberry or strawberry and in more modern combinations apricot or greengage. Today the cake holds a prominent place in English tearooms and is dusted with caster sugar and served in slices.

Argentina

From Argentina comes Chocotorta which was the influence of Italian cuisine and based on the famous Italian tiramisu. This no-bake cake includes three Argentinian staples chocolate biscuits, dulce de leche (condensed milk), and cream cheese. The cookies are softened by milk and then layered with a delectable combination of cream cheese and dulce de leche. The biscuits can also be soaked in chocolate milk, coffee, or coffee liqueur.

Australia

Lemington is a world-famous Australian culinary icon that consists of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and sprinkle with coconut. This cake was supposedly created by accident when Lord Leminton's maid without meaning to, dropped his favorite cake into melted chocolate. The end result though was delicious.

Lemington, the eighth Govrnor of Queensland made the suggestion that this cake should be sprinkled with coconut. Today the cake has become a popular dessert because it stands up to heat longer when cut into bite-sized squares and covered with coconut.

New Zealand & Australia

Both New Zealand and Australia have the delicious cake creation Pavlova. This was named after the famous Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. It is a delectable creation of meringue and was created when the dancer visited New Zealand. It can be baked in different ways and is garnished with fruit like kiwis and strawberries. The added cornflour to the meringue lets the cake have a crisp shell covering a marshmallow-like center.

Mexico

From Mexico comes Tres Leches cake with strawberries on top. This is a delectably moist milk-based sponge cake. The butter sponge cake is soaked in three kinds of milk - condensed, evaporated, and regular. The cake is topped with meringue or whipped cream.

South Africa

South Africa presents Vetloek or Fat Cake which comes from the first Dutch immigrants around the 1800s. This is a kind of pastry created from cake dough with raisins and currants. The dough gets made into small rounded balls and deep-fried and then topped with syrup, honey, or sugar, The pastry can be filled with cheese, jam, or for a savory version different types of meat.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka presents the Breudher cake which is a traditional Easter cake. It is a yeasted, buttery creation with a texture similar to brioche. It includes brandy-soaked raisins and is flavored with blood oranges. the cake can be served plain or with a glaze or powdered sugar.