Knit One. Purl One. Bake One. Eat One.
Oh hi. Hey you remember me. I'm that mildly funny blogger that bakes cookies and writes letters to both inanimate objects and weirdos.
No? I'm that perfectionist in the kitchen that obsesses over custard and cowers at the sight of yeast. Yeah I basically cry over spilled milk. Literally.
Nothing? I also have an unusually high attraction to all things with polka dots. I own not one, not two, but three polka dot aprons. With ruffles. And bows.
Oh yeah. You remember now.
I apologize for my absence. I have a good excuse though. I really do. Are you ready? Like really ready?
I've been busy knitting. No really. I knit. Now you know the awful truth. I am in fact a 50s housewife that vacuums in pearls, darns socks and spends the day in the kitchen with perfectly applied lipstick.
Ok maybe my pearls are fake and I can't stand lipstick, but I do spend blissfully happy days in the kitchen and I can knit up a storm. Well maybe just a scarf. And not those fancy cable knit scarves. Maybe next year.
To make up for my knitting induced neglect I made you some traditional Dutch Boterkoek. It's like shortbread only better. You just have to trust me on this one. It's dense, moist and chock full of almond goodness. You're going to love it.
Boterkoek (Butter Cake)
Makes 4 – 6 individual desserts.
Source: My family recipe.
1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 egg
2 cup flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 egg white
1 tbsp water
Note: My mom makes this recipe in a 9 inch cake pan. If you'd prefer this size please adjust the baking time to 45 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and position a rack in the center. Set aside your ramekins since there's no reason to grease them with all the butter in the recipe.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream the butters and sugar. Add the almond extract and egg and mix it well. Beat in the flour until it's well incorporated and it forms a heavy thick dough.
Divide the dough among the ramekins and press it evenly into the forms with your fingers. Sprinkle a generous layer of almonds over each ramekin and press them down lightly. Whisk together the egg white and water then brush it over the almond layer with a pastry brush.
Bake them for about 20 – 30 minutes depending on the size of your ramekins and the depth of your dough. You'll know they're done when they rise slightly in the center and the edges turn light golden brown. Let then cool for at least 10 – 15 minutes in the forms. Run a small paring knife along the edges of each Boterkoek to release the seal of the crisp egg white then turn them upside down. They might take a little coaxing with the heel of your hand, but they should come out cleanly. Enjoy!
December 4th, 2010 - 20:53
Looks so good I will be making these at christmas♥
December 4th, 2010 - 22:16
So you knit and bake too? Cool. Same here. Of course I also have only ever attempted scarves, but I have advanced to a ribbed, 3-colored scarf!
Oh yea, love the dish too. 
December 4th, 2010 - 22:26
You’re more advanced than me! The scarf that I’m working on is ribbed and two colours.
December 5th, 2010 - 02:33
These look deliciously scrumpitious!… Beautiful photos. Luna
December 5th, 2010 - 02:35
Oh my, these photos look so delicious. And I love Dutch baked goods. These bowls fit so well to their content. I am always having a hard time decorating and placing the baked goods into an appropriate container – and yes, I often want to buy bowls, tins and glasses just for putting them in there – but space is a limit. How do you manage to have so many different items for making your goods shine so nicely – do you have a secret on organizing? And if yes, would you share?
December 5th, 2010 - 09:02
Thank you so much Hannah!
Well I actually get a lot of my interesting plates and baking dishes from the dollar store. If I have a specific treat in mind to bake I sometimes go shopping for just the right bowl or dish to show it off. And I am really good at maximizing cupboard space. I’m a perfectionist like that.
December 5th, 2010 - 05:05
My mother has taught me to knit about 4 times, and every time, I don’t do it for a while and forget. Ah well, I can always ask her to knit things for me! These little cakes look delicious!
December 5th, 2010 - 05:45
I feel your pain sister. I owned a yarn shop and knit ever day. I have knit since I was 5. It is an addiction I tell ya. It also cuts into cooking time. Here is my other blog with knitting stuff: http://www.yarning.blogspot.com
Hi, my name is Janis and I am a knitter…
December 5th, 2010 - 09:03
Awesome Janis! Can’t say I’ve knit since I was 5 though. You’re a true addict!
December 5th, 2010 - 06:08
That’s a gorgeous cake! Great gifts…knitting is so relaxing…believe it or not, it helps me focus on lectures, conversations, movies….
December 5th, 2010 - 09:03
It’s so calming isn’t it? I love it!
December 5th, 2010 - 08:10
I just got back into knitting/crocheting after a LONG hiatus away from it. I love it! I especially like knitting while watching TV
December 5th, 2010 - 09:15
wow… I cannot knit…jealous of that skill (must be so incredibly relaxing)!
But since I know how to bake, i will be making these AH-DO-RA-BLE little cakes soooon!!!
December 5th, 2010 - 09:26
Girl! These are gorgeous. And I want online knitting lessons from you!
December 5th, 2010 - 12:07
Thanks Shauna! Knitting is pretty easy once you get a rhythm going. Looking up You Tube videos really helps too.
December 5th, 2010 - 11:21
“It’s like shortbread, just better”. I stopped there. I didn’t need to read anything else to be convinced by these these…..what the heck are boterkoek? And do I need to know? No, I really just need to make them, like know! And eat them, like all! If knitting inspires you this much, please go on, make a scarf for each member of your family and come back here afterwards with your creations. How could we forget you at this point?
December 5th, 2010 - 12:11
Thanks Sara! You’re so cute! Boterkoek is really awesome and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
December 5th, 2010 - 13:04
hehe I likey that you write letters to inanimate objects and I also like your delicious butter cake (=
December 5th, 2010 - 18:30
Dutch Butter cookies are a Christmas must have in my country so I’m totally nodding in agreement with the idea of butter cake…more than nodding…actually checking the fridge for butter NOW!
December 5th, 2010 - 23:14
Mmm, I have a friend that would absolutely love these… they are so adorable- perfect for a tea party!
December 6th, 2010 - 02:25
I’ll have a piece of cake and scarf please
December 6th, 2010 - 10:34
Coming right up Jenny!
December 6th, 2010 - 06:59
Woww!! I don’t know these treats, but after reading your recipe’s ingredients I guess they must be heavenly..It’s nice to see someboy so young like you enjoys knitting. I used to knit a lot, when I was a teenager..I made some great models !!! believe me!!! When I was 16, I used to get together with two other friends to knit…while listening to music…Oh gosh !!how “stupid” we were ;D
December 6th, 2010 - 10:35
That’s hilarious because I used to do exactly the same thing! I must have gotten into knitting with a good friend of mine in high school when I was 17 or 18. So fun!
December 6th, 2010 - 07:14
love knitting too some how they come out during winter perfect thing to do
delicious cake
December 6th, 2010 - 08:32
Ok I am totally going to have to try these! They look so beautiful and just perfect for christmas, and I love that you used a family recipe. <3 So exactly what size are your ramekins? Could this be done with round ones? (that are possibly more deep than wide?)
December 6th, 2010 - 08:40
Not a kniter but I am a eater< so you better save me twice as much. Congrats on Top 9. GREG
December 6th, 2010 - 09:48
Once you have done cables, you won’t believe that once you thought they were complicated. Really! It is more about counting which like any pattern is a pattern!
Love this simple recipe. And the almonds. YUM.
December 6th, 2010 - 10:07
How thick are these? Could I make them in a tart pan?
December 6th, 2010 - 10:36
Yes they’d work perfectly in tart pan. They’d probably be almost an inch thick.
December 6th, 2010 - 10:28
That’s a great yarn colour! I don’t knit at all, but I’ve recently gotten fixated on pom pom making! I’ve never had this boater caken (because that’s how I’ve decided to say it), maybe I’ll have to try it out!
December 6th, 2010 - 10:38
Lol I love it! Boter caken!
December 6th, 2010 - 13:27
Ah boterkoek. Brings back fond memories. Wasn’t a Christmas that went by without boterkoek.
December 6th, 2010 - 18:36
Congrats on the Top 9! I adore the title of your blog:) These sound delicious, and the pictures are very pretty:)
December 6th, 2010 - 19:45
Thanks very much Terra!
December 6th, 2010 - 19:03
Oh my goodness those look so delicious and perfect!!! I’m in love with your photos (and your blog of course!) I wish you could bake for me everyday, everything you make looks delicious.
December 6th, 2010 - 22:10
I can knit scarves only. And congras on top 9
December 6th, 2010 - 22:52
These look perfect! I love desserts with almond extract. Yum! Congrats on the Top 9.
Your apron obsession is totally understandable! They are just too cute to pass up!
December 6th, 2010 - 22:55
Thanks Karen!
December 8th, 2010 - 00:11
Of course I remember you. Taking a break is good. I’m glad you’re back though. Look at your photos, they are perfect. I love the bright colors.
December 8th, 2010 - 00:22
Thank you so much Damaris!
December 8th, 2010 - 04:32
Hi Lindsey, or should I say ME. Are we actually the same person? It would appear so. I too spend my days knitting, baking and cooking. But I wear real pearls and I love my red lipstick. I also aspire to be a 1950s housewife: love it.
Pretty cakes! Now your next challenge: to create a baked good that looks like a knitted one. Go!
Jax x
December 8th, 2010 - 10:02
Lol you’re hilarious Jackie! It’s a little crazy because I’ve seriously considered baking something that looked like something knitted.
December 8th, 2010 - 10:47
Hi Lindsey. You are so adorable. I wish I could knit. My aunt manages a wonderful knitting store in Houston, and she is always making me the most precious gifts. These treats look delectable too. I love seeing family recipes. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a lovely afternoon, my friend!
December 8th, 2010 - 13:13
Thank you Monet, you sweetie! I wish I could knit more advanced stuff. Your aunt’s shop sounds so cool!
December 18th, 2010 - 20:43
*gasp* I LOVE those ramekins! I have an obsession with baking dishes. And serving platters. And cake stands! Basically anything to display my foods on so they look as pretty as they taste.
December 19th, 2010 - 10:41
I love them too Annie! I got them from the Dollarama if you can believe it.