Take the butter and eggs out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before starting, so they reach room temperature. Preheat the oven to 175°C (top and bottom heat). Prepare a loaf pan measuring about 30 x 11 cm: line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the sides with a thin layer of butter or use a silicone mold.
Description
Mazurian cake with summer forest fruits and citrus zest is a moist, fragrant cake made with butter and eggs, enriched with the aroma of fresh citrus zest (lemon/orange) and a summer mix of berries, raspberries, and blackberries. The inspiration from Mazurian cuisine is reflected in the simplicity and use of seasonal fruits gathered in summer by the lakes, as well as in the delicate, buttery flavor of the cake. The cake has a dense yet soft crumb, a golden crust, and the contrast of the freshness of the fruits with the slightly spicy aroma of the zest. Serve warm or at room temperature with a cup of coffee, linden tea, or vanilla ice cream; it is perfect for summer parties, lakeside picnics, and family gatherings.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (11)
- Wheat flour 300 g
- Sugar 180 g
- Butter 200 g
- Chicken egg 4 pcs (~240 g)
- Baking powder 12 g
- Milk 50 ml
- Citrus zest 10 g
- Forest fruits 400 g
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 2 g
- ✨ Optional
- Powdered sugar 20 g
- Rum 20 g
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Preparation
Wash and gently dry the berries — preferably on a sieve or paper towel. If the berries are very large (e.g. blackberries), cut them in half. Transfer the berries to a bowl and set aside to lightly dry.
Cake
Sift the flour together with the baking powder into a large bowl. Add salt and mix the dry ingredients thoroughly with your fingers or a whisk to ensure the baking powder is evenly distributed.
In the bowl of a mixer or in another large bowl, place the butter cut into smaller pieces and the sugar. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably increases in volume (the mixture should be 'fluffy'). If you don't have a mixer, use a wooden spoon and beat vigorously for 6-8 minutes.
Crack the eggs one by one into the buttercream, mixing for 20-30 seconds after each addition until the egg is incorporated. If the mixture starts to curdle (separate), add 1-2 tablespoons of flour from the sifted mixture and continue mixing.
Add the grated citrus zest and, if using, rum (or a tablespoon of orange juice instead of rum). Mix briefly on low speed, just to combine the flavors.
Gradually add the sifted mixture of flour and baking powder alternately with the milk: 3 parts flour and 2 parts milk (mix, finishing with flour). Stir with a spatula or on low speed with a mixer just until the dry ingredients disappear — do not overmix, as the dough will become tough.
To prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom during baking, gently dust them with a few tablespoons (about 15 g) of flour from the prepared portion. Then, fold the fruit into the batter very gently: use a spatula and make movements from the bottom to the top until the fruit is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Assembly and Baking
Transfer the prepared batter to the prepared pan, smooth the top with a spatula. Gently tap the pan a few times on the counter to remove air bubbles and evenly settle the fruit.
Bake the cake in a preheated oven for 55-65 minutes at 175°C. After 40-45 minutes, check the color, and if the top is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil. After 55 minutes, insert a skewer into the center — it should come out dry, with possibly some moist crumbs, but no raw batter.
Cooling
After baking, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a rack for 10-15 minutes. Then gently remove the loaf from the pan (use a knife to go around the edges if it is stuck) and leave it to cool completely on the rack.
Decoration
Optionally, before serving, dust the cake with powdered sugar through a sieve. Slice with a sharp, serrated knife (first let the cake cool completely for clean slices). Serve with young mint leaves, vanilla ice cream, or natural yogurt.
Fun Fact
Cookies appeared in Europe in the 19th century as a way to use up cakes and dried fruits; in the Masurian regions, local berries were traditionally used, which gave the baked goods a seasonal character.
Best for
Tips
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sour natural yogurt. For adults, you can drizzle the slices with a bit of rum and ignite them (flambé) just before serving — be cautious with safety.
Store wrapped in aluminum foil or in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature; in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (before serving, take it out for an hour to reach room temperature). Sliced pieces can be frozen for up to 2 months — thaw slowly in the refrigerator and warm slightly in the oven at 160°C for 8-10 minutes.
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