When it comes to baking, cakes are many peoples’ favourite. Of course, blueberry muffins and fudge brownies appeal too, but a cake is suitable for so many occasions, and it can last for a relatively long amount of time. Cakes are also incredibly tasty, aren’t they?
Despite many people trying to stick to health-related New Year’s resolutions at the moment, cakes are still being baked up and down the UK and all around the globe. Not all cakes necessarily need to be unhealthy either, with people opting for sugar-free variations and even incorporating a variety of fruit and vegetables into a specific bake. The bad stuff generally makes a better cake, though. Away from the healthier varieties, popular toppings include the likes of a cream cheese frosting, a luxurious buttercream, and even some colourful purple and green candy, similar to the sweets on offer in the Sweet Bonanza slot game. The go-to options obviously vary from country to country, too. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the world’s most popular cakes.
Pound Cake
A cake from the British Isles, Pound Cake isn’t seen everywhere in the UK, but it is enjoyed by many in the country. Dating back to the early 1700s, Pound Cake consists of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. It is a light and small cake that is enjoyed as a snack or during afternoon tea. Modern-day variations also include leaveners to make it even less dense, with some bakers throwing in some chocolate or orange zest to add even more flavour to what is a simple but delicious treat.
Pavlova
Most people have heard of or even tried a pavlova, but not many people attempt to make it thanks to its intricate layers of meringue. A favourite in Australia and New Zealand in particular, pavlova is a dessert which is best enjoyed in the summer. Accompanying the layers of meringue is whipped cream which is elevated further with a sprinkling of tart fruits.
Cassata
A famous dessert from Sicily, a traditional cassata cake contains a liqueur-soaked genoise sponge which has been carefully layered with sweetened ricotta and fruit preserves, before being decorated with marzipan and vibrant candied fruits. Enjoyed in the winter and spring, the cake is chilled in the fridge for three hours before serving, and it’s incredibly popular all over Italy, but especially in Sicily, where it was originally made.
Sernik
Sernik, a delicious cheesecake from Poland, is steeped in tradition and is particularly prominent in both the old Christian and Jewish communities. Made with a type of curd cheese called twaróg, the cake is believed to have originated in the 17th century but has evolved in the modern world thanks to a variety of different versions these days. Some people bake their sernik, while others prefer it unbaked. The likes of raisins, chocolate and fruit is added to make the cake even tastier also.
Cremeschnitte
A vanilla-flavoured custard cream cake from Austria, cremeschnitte is particularly popular in the country, but it is also savoured in other parts of Europe too, with Germany having their own variation of it. The Polish have their own version of the custard cream delight also, calling it Napoleonka. Thanks to its rich history but also its gorgeous taste, cremeschnitte is well worth trying.
Kasutera
A traditional Japanese sponge cake that has a moist and spongy texture, kasutera is made with the usual sugar, flourand eggs, but with the addition of a starchy syrup which helps create its unique texture. The cake is also enjoyed in different flavours, such as chocolate, honey, and green matcha tea.