Old Sandtorte Recipe (1900s Cake)
This old-fashioned Sandtorte recipe from the early 1900s creates a delicate yet rich cake with a texture as fine as sand. A variation of the classic pound cake, this vintage German dessert balances butter, cornstarch, and flour for a unique, airy crumb while still being satisfying and dense.
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Yolks of 6 large eggs whites reserved
- Zest of 1 lemon grated
- 3 tbsp black or gold rum
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Powdered sugar for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Egg Yolks: One at a time, add the egg yolks, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest and rum.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the cornstarch, a couple of tablespoons at a time, while continuing to mix. Slowly incorporate the flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat for at least five minutes until well combined.
- Whip Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, whip the reserved egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in Egg Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in three separate additions. Be careful to maintain the airy texture and mix until no streaks remain.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few small crumbs. The cake should begin to pull away from the pan's edges when done.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely for about an hour.
- Decorate: Once cooled, place a doily over the cake and dust it generously with powdered sugar. Carefully remove the doily to reveal a beautiful lace pattern.
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