Spekkoek (Lapis Legit)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 10 large eggs, separated
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/4 cups flour, sifted
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (icing)

Spice mixture

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground aniseed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon flour

Optional layers

• 1/2 cup jam, of choice warmed in microwave oven (optional)
• 3 ounces chocolate (optional)
• 3 tablespoons butter (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat broiler.

2. 2

   Line the bottom of a buttered 9" springform pan with wax paper and butter the wax paper.

3. 3

   Optional Chocoate layer:.

4. 4

   Melt chocolate and 3 tablespoon butter and mix to blend, set aside.

5. 5

   In a large bowl cream 2 sticks butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs yolks a few at a time.

6. 6

   In another large bowl, using clean dry beaters, beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff. Fold into yolk mixture. Fold in flour.

7. 7

   Divide batter between two bowls.

8. 8

   Mix the spice mixture together.

9. 9

   Add the spice mixture to one bowl of batter and mix in well.

10. 10

    Pour about ½ cup of the spice batter into the pan, spreading to form a thin (crepe to pancake thickness) layer. Place pan under a preheated broiler (oven grill) for 2 minutes, or until the layer is firm and very lightly browned. Spread ½ cup of the plain batter over the top and broil until firm. Spread the optional 1/4 cup warmed jam if using. Repeat layering spice batter then plain batter then spread 1/4 cup melted chocolate topping with the spice batter. Be careful spreading the batter. Broil till lightly browned following with plain batter and repeat till all batter and fillings are used.

11. 11

    Let cake chill to firm chocolate and jam, then remove from pan. Bring to room temperature.

12. 12

    Sprinkle top with confectioners sugar. Serve in thin slices.