Spanische Windtorte

Spanische Windtorte ("Spanish wind torte") is a historical Austrian dessert and is one of the most complex to create and serve as it is composed mostly of meringue and whipped cream. It is a dessert that supposedly became popular during the Baroque period of the Austro-Hungarian empire, with recipes for it appearing in several 19th century cookbooks from Austria.[1]

Spanische Windtorte
Spanische Windtorte mit Obersschaum
Alternative namesSpanish Windcake
TypeCake
CourseDessert
Place of originUnknown, supposedly Austria
Main ingredientsMeringue, whipped cream, fresh berries (usually strawberries), chocolate shavings or currants
VariationsPavlova

The Spanish reference may be due to the Austrian House of Habsburg and their fascination with Spain.[2] An alternative theory states that this is part of a longer-term trend of Catholic pilgrims following the Way of St James.[3] The term "Spanischer Wind" is still used to refer to small baked meringues (also known in English as meringue kisses).[4]

It was featured as the technical challenge in episode 4 of series 6 of The Great British Bake Off, and its appearance on the TV show was credited for a subsequent spike in popularity.[5] A newspaper article about the TV show reported it had earlier been called "the fanciest cake in Vienna".[6][7]

A Spanische Windtorte consists of rings of meringue that have been baked into a cylindrical form with a bottom and a top lid. The piping of the meringue and the subsequent baking process require patience and careful attention to detail or the cake will not be symmetrical. When the shell of the torte is done it is then filled with whipped cream, fresh berries (usually strawberries), chocolate shavings and/or currants. Because whipped cream and meringue dissolve quickly the torte must be served immediately. Freezing can retain the dessert's consistency but the flavour may be compromised.[6]

References
  1. Dorizio, Sybilla (1816), Mein durch vierzigjährige Ausübung und bisher nur durch mündliches Mittheilen bekanntes Kochbuch für große und kleinere Tafeln, Graz
  2. "Great British Bake Off: How to make a Spanische Windtorte". The Nottingham Post. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. "Spanischer Wind - Wien Geschichte Wiki", retrieved 28 August 2018
  4. "GuteKueche.at: Spanischer Wind", retrieved 28 August 2018
  5. "Spanische Windtorte" - Google Trends: Worldwide Trends
  6. Williamson, Olivia (26 August 2015). "What on earth is a Spanische Windtorte?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  7. "Fabulous Foods of the World, Just 50 Cents", 11 June 2011, retrieved 28 August 2018


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