Šakotis
Photo: Sven Teschke · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

History

Šakotis (sometimes spit-cake) shares roots with the Polish sękacz and the German Baumkuchen. Lithuanian wedding tradition makes šakotis the centrepiece dessert at any major celebration, and the cake holds special status at Christmas markets. At Pinavija in Vilnius the šakotis is baked traditionally and sold by the slice or whole. The largest known šakotis was baked in Druskininkai in 2015 at 3.6 metres tall.

Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 1Hands-on 2 hrTotal 3 hrDifficulty Advanced

Ingredients

  • 10 eggs, separated
  • 500 g butter, softened
  • 500 g sugar
  • 500 g all-purpose flour
  • 200 ml sour cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt

Method

  1. Cream butter with half the sugar until pale. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well.
  2. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and salt. Sift flour over the mixture; fold in gently.
  3. Whisk egg whites with remaining sugar to firm peaks. Fold into the batter in two additions.
  4. Set up a rotating spit over an oven base or open flame. Brush the spit with butter.
  5. Pour batter slowly onto the turning spit, allowing each thin layer to cook and brown for 2 to 3 minutes before adding more.
  6. Continue building layers for 90 minutes to 2 hours, until you have a 30 cm tall cake with characteristic dripping branches. Cool fully before removing from the spit.

Tip from the editors. This recipe is best attempted as a professional bakery demonstration; the home version requires a custom rotating spit and steady heat. Buy a Pinavija šakotis instead for a first taste.

Where to eat šakotis

Šakotis in Vilnius

Pinavija ★ 4.4

€ BakeryLithuanian kibinai and šakotis tree cakeSenamiestisWalk-in only

Pinavija on Vilniaus is a family-run Lithuanian bakery cafe known for hot kibinai pastries, šakotis tree cake and brunch in a softly-French Old Town corner.

Worth the queueMutton kibinai

TipIndoor seating fills early on weekends. A šakotis to-go travels home well in checked luggage.

Directions

Pinavija Café & Bakery ★ 4.3

€€ LithuanianSenamiestis

Pinavija on Vilniaus is a family-owned bakery cafe known for hot kibinai pastries, šakotis tree cake and brunch in a softly-French Old Town corner.

OrderA mutton kibinai with mustard, then a slice of šakotis.

TipIndoor seating fills early on weekends. Bench seating runs along Vilniaus in summer.

Directions

Etno Dvaras (Aušros Vartų) ★ 4.0

€€ LithuanianSenamiestis

Etno Dvaras on Aušros Vartų cooks dishes certified by the Lithuanian Culinary Heritage Fund in a cavernous cellar with street-level windows on the strip.

OrderCepelinai with bacon-mushroom sauce; pair with a bowl of šaltibarščiai cold beet soup.

TipHeritage Fund certification means every dish must be 100 years old by recipe. Touristy but real.

Directions

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