Entertaining Dessert

Drømmekage (Danish dream cake)

Name: Drommekage (Danish dream cake) recipe
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3 eggs; 1 cup (220g) caster sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 2/3 cup (165ml) milk; 85g unsalted butter, melted; 100g unsalted butter, chopped; 1 cup (250g) firmly packed dark brown sugar; 1/3 cup (80ml) milk; 3 cups (210g) shredded coconut

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by Georgina Esdaile

Food Editor

Jul 02, 2021

“This recipe, written by a Danish woman, won a cake contest during the 1960s. It was so well received that it became one of Denmark’s most loved cakes.”

3 eggs
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup (165ml) milk
85g unsalted butter, melted

Coconut topping

100g unsalted butter, chopped
1 cup (250g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup (80ml) milk
3 cups (210g) shredded coconut

Method

1.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm square baking pan and line with baking paper, leaving 3cm overhanging.
2.

Place the eggs, sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whisk for 8-10 minutes until pale, light and fluffy.
3.

Sift the flour and baking powder together three times then, using a metal spoon, gently fold into the egg mixture. Gradually fold in the melted butter and milk, and stir gently, being careful to not knock out the air. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set aside on a wire rack while you make the coconut topping. Increase oven to 200°C.
4.

For the coconut topping, place the butter, sugar and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the coconut and cook for a further minute or until well combined and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Spoon the coconut mixture over the warm cake in an even layer, and cook for 10 minutes or until the top has set and is golden brown. Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, before allowing to cool on a wire rack.