Spekkoek

Spekkoek, known in Indonesia as kue lapis legit, developed in the colonial Dutch East Indies by combining European butter cake with local spices. The batter uses a large amount of butter and egg yolks, and part of it is flavored with a spice blend that usually includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and mace.

The cake is built one thin layer at a time: a ladle of batter is spread in the pan, browned under the broiler, pressed flat, and followed by the next, often 18 or more layers. Sliced, it shows fine stripes like tree rings. Because of the labor, it is a celebration cake for holidays such as Christmas, Lunar New Year and Eid.