Traditional Swiss Carrot Cake (Aargauer Ruebli Torte)
"Posted by request, this recipe is an adaptation of one found in The Swiss Cookbook by Nika Standen Hazelton. The prep time is approximate and allows for grating of carrots and beating of egg whites as well as the actual mixing up of the batter."
photo by Chickee
- Ready In:
- 2hrs
- Ingredients:
- 15
- Yields:
-
10 or more slices
ingredients
- 2⁄3 cup raw carrot, freshly grated and firmly packed
- 1 2⁄3 cups almonds, finely ground
- 3⁄4 cup fine dry breadcrumb, plus more for dusting pan
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground mace
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon rind
- 3 tablespoons kirsch (cherry liquor) or 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-
Glaze
- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- candied fruit (to garnish)
directions
- Combine carrots and nuts in a mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with the spices and baking powder, then blend into the carrot mixture.
- Beat the egg yolks until thick and lemony.
- Gradually beat the granulated sugar into the yolks, along with the lemon rind and the Kirsch (more authentic) or lemon juice (if you don't like to use alcohol in your cooking).
- Beat this mixture until thick, then stir into the carrot mixture.
- Beat egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff peaks form, then fold them gently into the carrot mixture- do not overmix.
- Line an 8" springform pan with waxed paper or parchment.
- Grease pan (including the paper lining) and dust with a very light sprinkling of fine dry breadcrumbs.
- Shake pan to make sure breadcrumbs coat evenly.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake in a preheated moderate oven at 350 F for 1 hour, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Let cool.
- Mix together glaze ingredients.
- Remove sides from pan and set cake on a wire rack that has been set over wax paper to catch the drips.
- Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake and sides, using a spatula to even out the glaze as you prefer.
- Garnish with some candied fruits, if desired.
- Store in a tightly covered cake box.
- This cake improves with age.
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Reviews
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Perfection. That is the only word to describe this recipe. Perfection. The taste and tradition is right on target. I've had (and made) some carrot cakes that were not as moist but had the right taste, and vice versa. This recipe combines both the perfect balance of taste, flavour, and moisture. This cake even tastes better the next day! Bravo HeatherFeather! -
This is a fabulous cake! I used lemon juice instead of kirsch and made 2 cakes. Very easy to put together. Made the glaze, dipped some walnuts in first, set them aside, spread the remaining glaze onto the cake and then decorated with the glazed walnuts. I have 2 left hands when it comes to decorating cakes, but the cakes looked really elegant, I have to admit! Got thumbs up from all, and yes, I was told this cake is very traditional. I will be baking it again next week to take it to my DD's school Christmas event. Thank you so much, Heather, for sharing this wonderful recipe, this one is definitely a keeper. :)
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This cake is very traditional! I made two and both worked just fine. I didn't have mace so I used some mixed spice, and I used gluten free bread. Everyone loved it, even the real Aargauers I served it to! Thanks for giving me my own ruebli torte recipe. I glazed it with a glaze made from icing sugar and kirsch and a little lemon juice, and decorated each slice with a marzipan carrot. En guete! -
Surprisingly it was very easy to do it. it take less than 20 mins for me to prepare before i bake the cake. The taste really marverllous!
Tweaks
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This is a fabulous cake! I used lemon juice instead of kirsch and made 2 cakes. Very easy to put together. Made the glaze, dipped some walnuts in first, set them aside, spread the remaining glaze onto the cake and then decorated with the glazed walnuts. I have 2 left hands when it comes to decorating cakes, but the cakes looked really elegant, I have to admit! Got thumbs up from all, and yes, I was told this cake is very traditional. I will be baking it again next week to take it to my DD's school Christmas event. Thank you so much, Heather, for sharing this wonderful recipe, this one is definitely a keeper. :)
