Placek Swiateczny

Placek Swiateczny Recipe - Traditional Polish Holiday Cake

Region / culture: Poland | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 8-10

Introduction

Placek Swiateczny, also known as Polish Christmas Cake, is a traditional dessert that is often enjoyed during the holiday season. This sweet and nutty cake is filled with raisins, pecans, and orange peel, making it a festive treat that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

History

Placek Swiateczny has been a staple in Polish households for generations, with each family putting their own unique twist on the recipe. This cake is often served during Christmas celebrations, as well as other special occasions throughout the year.

Ingredients

5 eggs
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups icing sugar
2 tsp baking powder
0.75 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
0.67 cup raisins
4 oz (113 g) finely chopped orange peel
0.5 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 tbsp grated lemon peel
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp vodka or brandy

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs with sugar for 5 minutes on high speed.
In a separate bowl, mix the chopped nuts, raisins, and orange peel with 2 tbsp of flour.
In another bowl, mix the remaining flour with baking powder and salt.
Cream together the butter, lemon peel, and vanilla extract until fluffy.
Beat in vodka, then gradually add the egg mixture while beating constantly.
Add the flour mixture and beat for 5 minutes.
Fold the fruit-nut mixture into the batter.
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9x5x3 inches pan or a 1.5 qt (1.42 liter) ring mold.
Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 1 hour.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for ten minutes, then turn the cake out onto the rack and let it cool completely.
Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and set it aside to mellow for a couple of days.

Variations

Add dried cranberries or apricots for a different flavor profile.
Substitute walnuts or almonds for the pecans for a unique twist.
Drizzle a glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice over the top of the cake for added sweetness.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to beat the eggs and sugar together for a full 5 minutes to ensure a light and fluffy texture.

- Folding the fruit-nut mixture into the batter gently will help distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the cake.

- Allowing the cake to cool completely before serving will help enhance the flavors and textures of the dessert.

Serving Suggestions

Placek Swiateczny can be served on its own as a dessert, or paired with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat.

Cooking Techniques

Beating the eggs and sugar together for 5 minutes will help create a light and airy texture.

- Folding the fruit-nut mixture into the batter gently will help prevent the cake from becoming dense.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have brandy on hand, you can substitute rum or whiskey for a similar flavor.

- You can use any type of nuts in place of pecans, such as walnuts or almonds.

Make Ahead Tips

Placek Swiateczny can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. The flavors will continue to develop over time, making it even more delicious.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Placek Swiateczny on a festive platter garnished with powdered sugar and fresh orange slices for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Placek Swiateczny with a glass of sweet dessert wine or a cup of hot mulled cider for a delicious combination.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Placek Swiateczny can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. To reheat, simply place a slice in the microwave for a few seconds until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Placek Swiateczny contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Placek Swiateczny contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Placek Swiateczny contains approximately 18 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Placek Swiateczny contains approximately 5 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Placek Swiateczny is a good source of vitamin C from the orange peel and nuts, as well as vitamin E from the pecans.

Alergens

This recipe contains eggs, nuts, and wheat, which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Placek Swiateczny is a delicious dessert that is rich in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals, making it a satisfying treat for the holiday season.

Summary

Placek Swiateczny is a traditional Polish Christmas cake that is filled with nuts, raisins, and orange peel. This sweet and nutty dessert is perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season. With a light and fluffy texture, this cake is sure to be a hit at any festive gathering.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Placek Swiateczny. It was a cold winter day, and I was visiting my dear friend Agnes, who was originally from Poland. As soon as I walked into her cozy kitchen, I was greeted by the most amazing smell - a warm, sweet aroma that instantly made my mouth water.

Agnes was bustling around the kitchen, her hands moving deftly as she mixed dough and shaped it into intricate braids. I watched in awe as she worked, asking her questions about the ingredients and techniques she was using. She smiled at my curiosity and began to tell me the story of how she learned to make this traditional Polish Christmas bread.

She explained that the recipe had been passed down through her family for generations, and that she had learned it from her own grandmother when she was just a young girl. She described how they would spend hours together in the kitchen, kneading the dough and shaping it into beautiful, festive shapes. She recalled the laughter and love that filled the air as they worked side by side, creating something special to share with their loved ones.

As Agnes continued to work, she invited me to join her in making the Placek Swiateczny. I eagerly accepted, rolling up my sleeves and diving into the process with her guidance. Together, we measured out flour, sugar, and yeast, mixing them together with warm milk and eggs to create a smooth, elastic dough. Agnes showed me how to knead the dough until it was soft and pliable, then we let it rise until it doubled in size.

Once the dough had risen, Agnes showed me how to shape it into long ropes, which we then twisted together to form a beautiful braided loaf. She explained that the braids symbolized unity and togetherness, a fitting representation of the holiday season. As we worked, Agnes shared stories of her childhood in Poland, painting a vivid picture of snowy winters and cozy kitchens filled with the scents of baking bread.

Finally, we placed the braided loaf onto a baking sheet and brushed it with a mixture of egg yolk and milk, giving it a shiny, golden finish. As we slid it into the oven, the warm, sweet aroma filled the kitchen once again, making my stomach rumble with anticipation. We waited patiently as the bread baked, the scent growing stronger with each passing minute.

When the timer finally dinged, we pulled the Placek Swiateczny out of the oven, its crust a deep golden brown and its insides soft and fluffy. Agnes beamed with pride as she sliced into the bread, revealing the intricate swirls of the braids inside. She handed me a piece, still warm from the oven, and I took a bite, savoring the sweet, slightly nutty flavor that filled my mouth.

As I chewed, memories flooded back to me - of my own grandmother in her kitchen, of the recipes she had passed down to me, and of the joy that cooking had always brought me. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of Agnes' kitchen and the scent of freshly baked bread, I felt a deep sense of connection to the past and to the traditions that had shaped me.

From that day on, I knew that the recipe for Placek Swiateczny would hold a special place in my heart. It was more than just a bread - it was a link to the past, a connection to my heritage, and a reminder of the love and joy that food can bring. And as I shared the bread with my own family and friends, passing down the recipe from one generation to the next, I knew that the sense of wonder and magic that I had felt that day would live on forever.