Spekkoek (Thousand Layer Spice Cake)

A Dutch/Indonesian butter cake, best-known for being served with coffee after the ever-popular Dutch/Indonesian rijsttaffel. A good Spekkoek will have at least 12 layers or more. The heat of the grill browns the top of each layer, giving the cut cake its neat horizontal striped look. Spekkoek will keep moist and fresh in a cake tin or in the fridge for a week, well wrapped in a greaseproof paper. It can also be frozen if wrapped in a layer of aluminium foil. Because of the richness of the cake, it tends to be served in very small pieces, usually thin slices.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb butter, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 10  large eggs, separated
• 1  pinch salt
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
• 2  tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Beat in egg yolks. In another bowl, using clean beaters, beat egg whites with salt until stiff. Fold into yolk mixture. Fold in flour.
2. Divide batter between two bowls. Add combined spices to one bowl; stir well.
3. Line the bottom of a buttered 9" round cake pan (or springform pan) with wax paper and butter the wax paper. Pour about 1/2 cup of the spice batter into the pan, spreading to form a thin layer. Place pan under a preheated broiler for 2 minutes, or until the layer is firm and very lightly browned. Spread 1/2 cup of the plain batter over the top and broil until firm. Repeat layering and broiling until all batter is used.
4. Let cake cool, then remove from pan. Sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar. Serve in thin slices with strong, hot coffee.