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Desserts

Šakotis

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40 min
Prep
90 min
Cook
12
Servings

Ingredients

  • 10 Eggs, separated
  • 300g (1 1/2 cups) Sugar
  • 300g (1 1/4 cups) Butter, softened
  • 400g (3 1/4 cups) Flour
  • 1 tsp (4g) Vanilla sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Method

  1. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt to stiff peaks and set aside.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale, then beat in the egg yolks and vanilla sugar.
  3. Fold in the flour to form a smooth, thick batter, then gently fold in the whipped egg whites.
  4. Mount the spit under a grill or rotisserie set-up and ladle a thin layer of batter over it, rotating constantly.
  5. Grill each layer until golden before adding the next thin layer of batter, building up the ridged, tree-like shape over many rounds.
  6. Once the cake has reached the desired size, cool completely on the spit before carefully sliding it off.

Introduction: Šakotis, meaning 'branched', is Lithuania's most spectacular traditional cake, baked in ridged layers on a rotating spit until it resembles a tree trunk.

Cultural Background: Šakotis, meaning 'branched', is Lithuania's most spectacular traditional cake, baked in ridged layers on a rotating spit until it resembles a tree trunk. It holds a central place at weddings and other major celebrations and has even been granted EU Traditional Speciality Guaranteed status.

Tips: This is a genuinely advanced bake that requires a rotating spit set-up — most home cooks in Lithuania either use a purpose-built rotisserie or order šakotis from a specialist baker for special occasions.

Variations: A version studded with almonds along the ridges is popular for weddings; some bakers add a touch of rum to the batter.

Nutrition: Approx. 340 kcal, 6g protein, 20g fat, 33g carbohydrates per serving.

FAQs:

Q: Do I need special equipment to make this at home?
A: Yes — a rotating spit is essential to build the distinctive branch-like ridges; without one, this cake genuinely cannot be made in its traditional form.

Q: Why is it served at weddings?
A: Its tall, tree-like shape and rich, celebratory ingredients have made it a traditional centrepiece at Lithuanian weddings and christenings for generations.

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