Battenberg cake in Chicago?

Hi all--

Does anyone know if there are any bakeries in Chicago that make Battenberg cake? It is, I think, a British specialty, comprising a checkerboard crossection of 4 pink and white cake squares held together, as I recall, with a thin layer of apricot jam. The whole thing is then encased in marzipan. Now, you could encase shoe leather in marzipan and I'd be asking where to find it in Chicago, but Battenberg cake is a particular favorite of mine. I used to get it at the now-defunct Marks and Spencers in Montreal and rediscovered it at Marks and Sparks the year I lived in England. I haven't had it since then but suddenly yesterday I had a craving. I'm sure I could find a packaged version at one of the British shops in Chicago (and would appreciate reports of sightings) but I would particularly be interested in knowing if anyone made it fresh.

Here's a link to a catalog with a picture of such a cake

http://www.brackenbankstores.co.uk/acatalog/Cakes___Desserts.html

Patrick
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Hi,

Just trying all resources, why not call Galway (Irish) Bakery. If they cannot help you, then they may know who could. If you do find your desired cake, then please report back.

Regards,

They don't list Battenburg cake, but if you like shoe leather encased in marzipan, you really need to checkout the marizpan cakes at the Swedish Bakery

They call it Princess Torte on the cakes page, but the marizpan logs are available by the slice. It would not surprise me to learn that these folks have made a Battenburg or two by request....I know they make King Cakes for Mardi Gras (and that hardly seems Swedish).

Hi pdaane--

Checking at Swedish bakery is a good idea. I tried that Princess Torte at a friend's birthday recently and absolutely loved it. When I arrived home I told my wife I had found my next birthday cake. I think a pre-Christmas trip to Andersonville for Glogg and marzipan is in order.

Cathy, I emailed the Galway folks. I'll let you all know what I learn.

--Patrick

Be aware that Wikstrom's and the Swedish Bakery can be truly PACKED at holiday time. If you call the Swedish Bakery and pre-pay you can take the express lane: a plastic number (vs. the plebian paper). I have ordered special-occasion princess cakes with various fillings. IIRC apricot filling is available on special order, if you want to try to achieve the Battenberg combination you mentioned. However, you may have to ask for the special occasion coordinator, as they don't usually make apricot. The mango is great if you want another option.

By the way, while you are waiting, you might have time to wolf down a semlor. (My sense of aniticipation for the marzipan is almost always insurmountable.) And besides, semlor are comparatively sensible treats: a yeast bun, (not sweet, but lightly dusted with powdered sugar), filled with a slice of marzipan and unsweetened whipped cream. Not a wheatgrass smoothie, but your teeth won't ache, and you'll preserve your appetite for the actual cake event.

HI,

I was at Il Mulino in Highwood today. They were selling a fruitcake with a marzipan exterior. They're another candidate bakery which has the skills to make your desired cake.

Il Mulino Bakery
530 Sheridan Road
Highwood, IL 60040
847-266-0811

Regards,

Hi Cathy--

Thanks for the tip. My in-laws live in Waukegan so I am up that way frequently and I have always meant to stop in at Il Mulino.

The more I think about it, though, the more I realize I never actually saw a "fresh" Battenberg cake in England; only packaged ones at Marks and Spencers and other such places. Perhaps asking where to find a freshly baked Battenberg cake in Chicago is like asking where to find a freshly baked Twinkie in London.

Patrick