Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 4–6
Indulge in the warm, caramelized sweetness of Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács), a traditional Hungarian pastry known for its unique spiral shape and crispy, golden crust. 🍰✨ Baked over an open flame or in a special rotisserie oven, the dough is wrapped around a cylindrical spit, brushed with butter, and coated with sugar that caramelizes into a glossy, crunchy shell. Often sprinkled with cinnamon, nuts, or cocoa, the inside remains soft and fluffy, creating an irresistible contrast of textures. It’s a popular street food at fairs and festivals across Hungary and Eastern Europe.
Ingredients For Chimney Cake
🔥 For the Dough:
☑ 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 🌾
☑ ¼ cup granulated sugar 🍬
☑ 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast 🌿
☑ ½ cup warm milk (110°F/43°C) 🥛
☑ ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
☑ 2 large eggs 🥚
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 vanilla extract 🌼
🔥 For the Coating:
☑ ½ cup melted butter 🧈
☑ 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 ground cinnamon 🌿
🔥 Optional Toppings:
☑ Finely chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts) 🌰
☑ Cocoa powder 🍫
☑ Shredded coconut 🥥
👩🍳 Cooking Steps For Chimney Cake
🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Dough
1️⃣ In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.
3️⃣ Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough until smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes).
4️⃣ Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
🥖 Step 2: Shape the Chimney Cakes
1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare a rotisserie-style grill.
2️⃣ Roll out the dough into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
3️⃣ Cut the dough into long strips (about 1-inch wide).
4️⃣ Wrap each strip around a greased cylindrical mold (like a rolling pin or metal tube), overlapping slightly to create the signature spiral.
5️⃣ Roll the wrapped dough gently to flatten the layers.
🧈 Step 3: Coat and Bake
1️⃣ Brush the wrapped dough with melted butter.
2️⃣ Roll it in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon until fully coated.
3️⃣ Place the molds on a baking sheet or rotisserie and bake for 15–20 minutes, rotating occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized.
✨ Step 4: Add Toppings & Serve
1️⃣ While still warm, brush the baked Chimney Cakes with more butter and roll them in your favorite toppings like nuts, cocoa, or coconut.
2️⃣ Let cool slightly before sliding them off the mold.
3️⃣ Serve warm with coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in caramelized goodness—Chimney Cake is a magical Hungarian delight you’ll crave with every bite.
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Paiche a la Brasa – A Taste of Amazonian Heritage You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
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