Description

In a world filled with elaborate, frosting-laden desserts, some simpler pleasures can often be overlooked. Dutch Butter Cake, or boterkoek as it's known in the Netherlands, is one such treat that deserves more attention. This traditional Dutch dessert is a delightful fusion of a shortbread and a cake, boasting a buttery richness that melts in your mouth. With nearly equal parts butter and flour, the cake’s texture is uniquely tender yet slightly crumbly, making it an irresistible treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. The cake's signature feature is its crosshatched pattern on top, achieved by brushing with egg white and scoring the surface with a fork before baking. The result is a golden, slightly crisp top that gives way to a soft, flavorful interior infused with the delicate aromas of orange zest and vanilla.

Dutch Butter Cake is more than just a dessert; it's a taste of Dutch tradition. While traditionally baked in a specialized butter cake pan, it can easily be made in a modern springform or cake pan. Whether you're looking to impress guests with a simple yet elegant dessert or just want to indulge in a slice of nostalgia, Dutch Butter Cake is the perfect choice. Its subtle sweetness, combined with the rich flavors of butter, orange zest, and vanilla, make it a versatile treat that can be enjoyed year-round.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Preparation Method

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan with baking spray, then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Set the pan aside.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, fine salt, and ground nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugars:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and orange zest together until smooth and well combined. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla:

Add the egg and egg yolk to the butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until everything is well combined.
Add the Dry Ingredients:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough will be quite thick, resembling a cookie dough more than a traditional cake batter.
Prepare the Cake for Baking:

Press the dough into the prepared springform pan, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom and sides. To create a smooth surface, cover the dough with a piece of plastic wrap and use your hands or a flat utensil to press it down evenly. Once smooth, remove and discard the plastic wrap.
Create the Signature Crosshatch Pattern:

Brush the top of the dough with the lightly beaten egg white. Then, using the tines of a fork, gently score the surface of the dough in a crosshatch pattern. This will give the cake its distinctive appearance once baked.
Bake the Cake:

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cake has developed a golden-brown color and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:

Allow the cake to rest in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve.

Tips and Conclusion

Bonus Tip:

For a variation on this classic recipe, consider adding lemon zest instead of orange zest for a different citrus flavor. You can also sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the cooled cake for a subtle sweetness that enhances its delicate flavor. If you prefer a more pronounced flavor, experiment with adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients or a splash of almond extract to the dough.

Conclusion:

Dutch Butter Cake is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in baking. Its rich, buttery flavor, combined with the subtle sweetness of sugar and the aromatic hints of orange and vanilla, creates a dessert that is both comforting and indulgent. The cake's unique texture, part shortbread and part cake, offers a delightful contrast that keeps you coming back for more. Whether enjoyed as a mid-morning treat with coffee or as an elegant dessert after dinner, Dutch Butter Cake is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Its ease of preparation and the versatility of its flavors make it a dessert that you can return to time and time again, each time with the same satisfying results.