10 Interesting Facts About Baumkuchen Cake

1. Imagine a cake resembling a tree trunk - that's Baumkuchen, a German classic.

[{"selector":"#anim-67a5f1c0-01a8-4b1f-b509-c97ebd0a1255 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-910454e5-272c-4a24-8b50-5003fb1fa639","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

2. German chef in Hungary jotted the first Baumkuchen recipe; its birthplace remains a mystery.

[{"selector":"#anim-da85b6a3-234e-46ff-9701-9d903a54e8bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff019ce7-852f-42ff-b98d-069985fd7607","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

3. Crafted by layering batter on a spit, each browns before the next - rings form, like tree rings.

[{"selector":"#anim-2ff6eaef-6b14-4ee6-a3cf-a5fe47749e0a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13fb1c2b-eb1d-4444-b285-f2efc84e0b56","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

4. A usual Baumkuchen boasts 15-20 layers, yet experts craft 25-layer, 100-pound marvels.

[{"selector":"#anim-a38d5d0e-08ad-474a-a419-4eb9ea29564c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42795930-869e-4eb5-ad22-b048073af774","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

5. Though German-born, Japan's love for Baumkuchen soars - from corner stores to grand bakeries.

[{"selector":"#anim-e91f75da-1e4f-4aeb-bd94-93be9ed4c54d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8651b483-4164-4401-a200-810c0d6f53d5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

6. German POW Karl Juchheim brought Baumkuchen to Japan, sparking a wedding gift trend.

[{"selector":"#anim-a0bf5614-1af1-4f02-8fbb-c3971c763d04 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b905f010-3dbc-4a18-ae28-1d1b3ba8a2e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

7. In Japan, Baumkuchen signals growth and luck, its many rings embodying prosperity.

[{"selector":"#anim-86066988-d131-4bfb-bb25-7e38bbc7e56e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-472684e3-3095-4532-a74b-2773bd5ff980","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

8. Japan's twist? Matcha, yuzu, sakura - local touches make their Baumkuchen unique.

[{"selector":"#anim-2845782e-d156-4c65-a19a-6c1698622eff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0db03066-e3cb-48b5-b738-033f19b5096c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

9. layers baked with care on a rotating spit, brushed with caramelized butter.

[{"selector":"#anim-2a1f4eba-8c38-47f8-b4da-4c0f1e804b15 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfaba8a2-aced-4f68-9d11-0429c26a8901","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

10. Baumkuchen is an art - Japanese bakers make elegant packages, a cherished gift.

[{"selector":"#anim-03f04a9a-b6f9-47e2-92d5-775065618838 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4895c79-1dcc-4c59-8fa7-ad3ceba50760","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]