Discover the unique and delightful Sägespäne Kuchen, also known as Sawdust Cake, a German specialty that combines a rich chocolate cake base with a creamy, mascarpone-based topping, finished with a toasted coconut and nut mixture. This cake is a wonderful blend of textures and flavors, offering a deliciously different dessert experience.
Why You'll Love This: Sägespäne Kuchen stands out for its unique combination of a moist, cocoa-rich cake and a smooth, velvety cream topping. The toasted coconut and nut mixture sprinkled on top resembles sawdust, hence the name, adding a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the creaminess of the cake.
Perfect Occasion: This cake is a showstopper, ideal for special occasions or as a weekend baking project. It's perfect for those who enjoy exploring international cuisines and are looking for a dessert that's a little out of the ordinary.
For the Cake:
- 3 eggs
- 1 teacup sugar
- 125g butter (room temperature)
- 1.5 teacups milk
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract or 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 1 packet baking powder
For the Cream:
- 400g schmand or mascarpone
- 400 ml cream
- 1.5 packets Paradies cream (or similar)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract or 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 4 tbsp sugar
For the Topping:
- 100g butter
- 100g coconut flakes (about 1 cup)
- 100g sugar (less than 1 teacup)
- 2-3 tbsp hazelnuts (optional)
Instructions:
- For the cake, cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add milk. Sift in flour, cocoa, and baking powder, and beat briefly. Line a 26cm cake tin with parchment paper, grease the sides, and pour in the batter. Bake at 170°C (338°F) for 25-30 minutes. Do a toothpick test, then let cool.
- For the cream, whip cream with Paradies cream, sugar, and vanilla. In another bowl, stir the schmand or mascarpone, then fold it into the whipped cream mixture.
- For the topping, heat all ingredients in a pan until toasted, stirring constantly.
- Place the cake tin around the cooled cake, spread the cream on top, then sprinkle with the toasted mixture. Chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
- Remove from the tin and serve.
Enjoy this Sägespäne Kuchen, a delightful treat that combines a chocolatey base, creamy layer, and a unique coconut-nut topping, bringing a piece of German culinary tradition to your table!