Kürtőskalács
Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cake or Hungarian cornet, dates back to the 18th century in Transylvania, a historical region inhabited by Hungarians, Székelys and Romanians alike. Its name comes from its cylindrical shape, resembling a chimney (kürtő in Hungarian). The technique of wrapping dough around a cylinder and baking it while rotating over embers is closely tied to similar recipes found across the Carpathian region. Today it's a fixture at Christmas markets and street festivals in Budapest, Cluj or Brașov, baked on the spot in front of buyers on artisan rotisseries. The smell of fresh caramel and cinnamon spreading through the streets in winter has made this dessert a symbol of Central European street food.
Baked on a spit
The dough is wrapped around a wooden cylinder and rotated over fire.
Caramelized crust
Sugar caramelizes on the outside, forming a crisp shell.
Hollow cone shape
The result is a hollow, spiraled tube, like a long cornet.
Fairground treat
Traditionally sold at fairs and street festivals.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 500g flour
- 250ml warm milk
- 80g sugar
- 50g melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 7g dry yeast
- A pinch of salt
- 200g sugar for caramelizing
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground walnuts for sprinkling
How to make it
- 1PREPARE DOUGH: Mix the yeast with warm milk and a little sugar, let it activate for 10 minutes.
- 2KNEAD: Combine the flour with the eggs, melted butter, remaining sugar, salt and activated yeast, knead until elastic.
- 3PROOF: Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- 4WRAP: Roll the dough into long strips and wrap them spirally around a buttered wooden cylinder.
- 5ROLL IN SUGAR: Roll each cylinder through sugar until fully coated.
- 6BAKE ROTATING: Bake over medium heat, constantly rotating the cylinder, until the crust turns golden and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
- 7FINISH: Remove from the cylinder while still warm, sprinkle with cinnamon and ground walnuts before serving.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
