Easter Butter Cake

Boterkoek is a traditional, dense cake from Holland that’s simple to stir up – and a festive compliment on Easter morning – or any celebration – to a glass of champagne or fresh-squeezed orange juice.

When growing up my Dutch Godmother often served this before dinner on special occasions. My own mother always admonished against a second piece, reminding everyone: “It was really just butter and sugar and flavoring”. Yet as a child – lost in holiday wonder – it always seemed to me so much more…

The light Curaçao Glaze and Oranges Glacé are my own “grown-up” contribution. Oranges were historically seen as a special holiday fruit – and feature prominently in the Royal Christmas Cake and Orange Marmalade Cake recipes.

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup butter, softened 
• 1 cup white sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• Toasted almonds (crushed)
• 3 Tbs light brown sugar

Dutch Curaçao Orange Glaze (optional):

• 3 Tbs melted butter
• 1 1/2 cup confectionery sugar
• 3 – 5 Tbs Dutch Curaçao liqueur (or Grande Marnier) – or orange extract and orange juice.
• Orange zest
• Candied orange slices Glacé 

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and line with parchment paper one 9 inch round cake pan or two four inch ramekins.
2. Sprinkle paper with a fork mix of 1/4 cup brown sugar and toasted almonds (crushed in a paper towel) until just coated.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, sugar and almond extract until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Blend in the egg. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the mixture using a sturdy spoon until dough forms a ball. Carefully pour the dough into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is light golden brown. (this cake is quite dense, so expect the only “rise” on the occasion to be compliments an Easter wishes!)
5. Let cool on a baking rack
6. Brush with melted butter to finish – or apply optional glaze

For the Dutch Curaçao Orange Glaze: 

1. Cream butter  and Confectionery sugar
2. Add Curaçao or Grande Marnier and orange zest
3. Mix until it loosely coats a spoon
4. Pour over cooled cake while still on rack (placing a plate under the rack to collect drippings – which are wonderful on toast with powdered cinnamon).
5. Decorate with candied orange slices Glacé . 

Hand colored eggs are an ancient symbol of resurrection and new birth. In the Orthodox Church, five red eggs are often used during Holy Week to symbolize the five wounds of Christ. They are often made of lacquered wood or a semi-precious stone.

“Easter egg hunts are proof that children can find things when they really want.”

Anonymous

(courtesy: countryliving.com – March, 2022)