12th Day of Christmas

Happy Twelfth Night!

As has become my recent tradition - I am celebrating with a brand new (to me), unusual cake! Grape Cake!

Many countries around the world celebrate December 5th-6th with special cakes. Loving the idea - I have borrowed the tradition! (You can find links to special cakes enjoyed in previous years near the end of the post.) 

Tomorrow is again Twelfth Night - The 12th Day of Christmas and time again for a special cake!

If you missed celebrating Twelfth Night with me last year, pop over for a few lovely recipes - good contenders all for a final celebration of Christmas and the end of the season.

I don't know exactly why we don't celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas in America. Must research! I do think we are missing out big time!

Apparently, there are several cultures in the world that regard Twelfth Night - also know as Three Kings Day or Epiphany - as a great time to eat a very special cake!

I decided to make baking a special cake on Twelfth Night a new tradition at my house - beginning this year! With this very cake - Gâteau Basque.

Note:  I assisted Christina with placing this yummy recipe from Portugal on the cookie swap.  I hope you will take the time to go visit her on Flickr. She will soon be posting pictures of the Nativity she has built in front of her home - you won't want to miss it.

Christine wrote the background information and the recipe. Enjoy.

The recipe for this yummy, dense, jam covered almond and chocolate torte found it's way into my recipe box many, many years ago.  The cake is very simple to make and frosting it couldn't be easier - simply cover it with jam after baking?

When I make this torte on Valentines Day, I bake it in two little 8" heart pans - one to eat and one to give!.  But a 9" or 10" spring form pan is recommended.  The recipe makes 1 - 9" or 10" cake or 2 - 8" heart cakes.

Chocolate Almond Torte

3/4 cup unsalted butter
7/8 cup + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
5 eggs, separated