Orange Lapis Surabaya Cake (Spiku)

Coming to Chinese New Year, the type of cake usually comes into the mind of those celebrating is the Indonesian thousand layers cake (Kue Lapis Legit)
In Singapore, Kue Lapis Legit is so easily spotted in many bakeries during Lunar New Year time
But do you know that there's another type of Indonesian layered cake? It's as famous and in fact is a must too in every household of Indonesian Chinese families during the fifteen days of celebration. It's readily available in most bakeries, too

It's called Lapis Surabaya (Spiku)
Unlike the uncountable thin layers Kue Lapis Legit, Lapis Surabaya has only three layers typically
Those who dislike the fragrant and/or taste of spekkoek which is very distinct in Kue Lapis Legit, Lapis Surabaya would be the better choice
I personally prefer the latter, if I can choose, even though basically I love both :P
Firstly, the procedure to make Lapis Surabaya isn't as tedious. Secondly, I LOVE the taste and texture!

Both cakes are so notorious in the amount of egg yolks used
The good quality of this cake needs great quality of butter, too
Those two ingredients explain how many slices you can take in a day, to maintain your waistline, and most importantly, your cholesterol level!
I restrict myself in making and eating these cakes only during this time of the year, Chinese New Year time :)
Strangely, as much as I love them, the craving hits me only when the time comes, thank God :)

Oh well, it's the time to make one now. The craving is here and it's even more after I saw Nina made one and posted in her blog
I knew I must try it!
So, here it is....


Such a fine cake, I must say
The texture is unbelievably soft and moist. It tasted so delicious, with a hint of orange and chocolate and additional touch of berries jam melted together in every bite. Heaven!

A closer look on the fabulous texture of this cake
It's not the same as those soft cottonny chiffon cakes, it's different, a good different :)

You can see the glossy strawberries jam I used to glue each layer. I used my homemade strawberries jam (recipe is the same as my homemade plum jam, just replace plum with strawberries and adjust the sugar used accordingly)

I don't really favor lapis Surabaya with buttercream filling, hence the choice of this sweet tangy jam
The original recipe used marmalade, but I didn't use that sice I didn't want to make the orange flavour in this cake to be too overpowering

 

A slice of pure bliss! :)

 

 

What you need:
(below is half recipe I made with a slight modification)

Orange layers (makes two):
10 egg yolks (I used medium size)
70g caster sugar
35g plain flour
8g corn flour
8g full cream milk powder
125g butter
1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 tsp orange zest
1 tbsp sweet condensed milk
1/2 tsp orange essence (optional)

Chocolate layer (makes one):
5 egg yolks
50g caster sugar
15g plain flour
10g cocoa powder
65g butter
1/2 tbsp sweet condensed milk
1 tsp chocolate paste

Filling:
strawberries jam

Method:

Grease pan, line and grease again. Set aside

To make the orange layers:

1. Beat butter til smooth. Add in orange juice and sweet condensed milk, beat well. Add in orange zest, mix well
2. Beat egg yolks and caster sugar til tibbon stage
3. Fold in sieved plain flour, milk powder and corn flour
4. Pour egg yolk mixture into the butter mixture, gently mix with spatula til well incorporated
5. Pour into 2 pans, and bake in preheated oven of 180degC for 18 minutes til cooked (when the skewer comes out clean)

Do the same for the chocolate layer

To assembly:

When the cakes are cooled, place one orange layer and spread the top with jam, top with chocolate layer
Spread the top of chocolate layer with jam, top with the other orange layer
Cut and serve

 So irresistable!

I'm submitting this post to:

* Aspiring Bakers #27: Through Thick and Thin – Kue Lapis Classics hosted by Sam of Sweet Samsations
* Chinese New year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover