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Kugelhopf is a German, Austrian, Swiss and Alsatian term for coffee cake with yeast. Kugel means "ball" or "globe", but this cake usually has a hole in it. More doughnut-like, if you ask me.
I made this type of cake earlier this year, but it was called Tarte au sucre. I had nothing but trouble with this cake then, but Dorie's version came together easily. Having the right recipe and set of instructions is all you need.
Yeast breads and coffee cakes evolved from early honey cakes. According to Food Timeline, around the 17th century in Northern/Central Europe, eating sweet cakes with coffee became more common. There is even an Alsatian legend that the magi left the Kugelhopf in Alsace on their way to Bethlehem. To celebrate this legend,
A Kugelhopf mold, traditionally made of oven-proof earthenware, has a central cylinder that helps cook the inside of the cake more quickly. To make Kugelhopf, I used my sit-in-the-corner-and-gather-dust individual bundt pans. It was great to have an opportunity to use this pan again.
Did you know: National Bundt Cake Day is November 15, 2008. There is even a contest called 2008 Bundts Across America Contest and the winner could win $10,000.
You can find the recipe for Kugelhopf in the book Baking: From My Home to Yours
by Dorie Greenspan or here. To see how the rest of the TWD group fared with this week's recipe, click here and then click on each blogger! Thanks to Yolanda from The All-Purpose Girl who chose the recipe for this week.
Tasting NotesThis is a great breakfast or afternoon treat since it's not too sweet and lingers more on the bread side than the cake side. And although it's not hard to make, it does require some babysitting (and it's best to have a stand mixer to knead the butter into the dough). According to this New York Times article, you can even make a savory version with smoky bacon and crunchy walnuts. I think I'll give that a try next time I make this.
Recipe for Next Week (November 18)
Arborio Rice Pudding on pages 412 and 413 chosen by Isabelle from Les gourmandises d’Isa.
My Bucket List
I've been wanting to start this list for some time now, and today seems like a good day to start it. Based on my reading about Kugelhopf, I'm adding the following things to my list of things I'd like to do in life:
Has anyone tasted authentic Kugelhopf in Alsace?
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30 comments:
They turned out great! Love them! Definitely like them as minis...
Oh, I made minis too! Wasn't this good?
Looks so yum and cute! Love anything mini ;)
They look great.
We are going to use our leftovers for French Toast.
Your minis sure do look darn adorable! Thanks for all the good background info!
Love your mini kugelhopfs (isn't that a cute word to say?). Beautiful work, as usual :-)
Love your photos - I made minis too. I think they sort of look like miniature authentic kugelhopfs, just smaller and shorter. Tasty, too!
Your minis are fantastic.
I like the look of your mini kugelhopf, so cute!
Your pictures, as always, are amazing!! Love the minis too!
Your mini kugelhopfs are so darned cute! Btw, I'd love to join you in Ribeauvillé!
Oh, they look great out of those little pans. Very pretty. I never thought about a savory version...but I can see where that would be good...maybe on your camping trip to eat toasted up with eggs in the morning, what do you think? I'm thinking it sounds pretty good. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration as always!
I love the minis, and I have the same pan!
Beautiful photos, I am glad you loved it too. :)
Those are just adorable! It looks like you have a mini of my pan. ;-)
National Bundt Cake Day? I had no idea :D
They look wonderful.
Yours look so cute! I love to read all the information you give + nice pictures!
I was happy to put my min Bundt pan to use as well. As I was eating mine I was thinking it would be really good pushed in the savory direction. I will check out the NYT article.
Your mini kugelhopfs are so adorable! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Your Kugelhopf are so adorable. I'd love to go to Alsace and taste it from the authentic little bakery, what a romantic thought!
they look so cute!!
The mini kugelhopf look delightful! Good to know that you don't necessarily need to buy a special pan to make this, too.
I love your pictures. They make the kugelhopf look even that more delicious.
The mini versions are a great idea. I'm thinking about getting another one started for "leftover" French toast.
I have not had Kugelhopf in Alsace, but I've had "Gugelhufp" in Germany and Austria (as well as my Grandmother's kitchen here in the States!). Also had the pleasure of eating Bábovka in the Czech Republic (the Czechs fill the cake with cocoa).
Great pictures - I like the sugar action shot!
I'm late I know... I've been busy like crazy, but I was very anxious to come and see your beauties... and they are!
Hummmm... perhaps kugel meanning "ball", and hopf meanning "to jump"... maybe the ball jumped through the cake? ...and made a doughnut!??? LOL LOL LOL
As usual, a..... (okay, I'll stop being redundant, here! LOL)
i love the mini sizing! and the sugar's got some sweet air! LOL.
the colours of your blog are so soothing, very nice for reading! btw, can i ask you how you get the background to be lavendar - do you put a paper there or are the walls of your home that colour?
Love individual desserts. They are so personal and special. Your photos are really appealing. Glad you had fun.
AmyRuth
I love those minis- they look beautiful! The photos are great, as usual. :)
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by! Sorry I'm so late in responding to all your wonderful feedback. Thanks for all the positive reinforcement. You have no idea how much it means to me right now!!
chocolatechic - love your idea of using the leftovers for french toast!
mevrouw cupcake - i'll meet you there!
kayte - ah, camping, with kugelhopf. now there's a thought!
jessica eiden smedley - sounds like you're a kugel/gugelhupf expert!
vibi - i was thinking donuts too!
eunice - i used lavender tissue paper behind the photo! my secret's out.
and to everyone else who left a kind comment: THANK YOU!
~Shari
Your mini kugelhopfs are veritable works of art!I ate this delicious bread weekly in Alsace ( Strasbourg). Have you been to Ribeauville yet? It is my favorite french village, medieval, beautiful vistas and food and wine! My goal is to get back there in 2014 or sooner.
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