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Liivakook (Sand Cake)

A layered cake with many variations, liivakook, or "sand cake" is a traditional Estonian dessert known for its light and crumbly texture. This recipe includes use of a plum filling, though any flavor can be used to customize the cake.

Prep Time
30 minutes
+ 2 hours resting
Cook Time
50 minutes
Total Time
3 hours 20 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

    Dough:
    Filling:
    • 3 packages pudding mix (not instant)
    • 3 cups (700 ml) milk
    • 1 lb (450 g/4 sticks) butter
    • 3 12-oz (3 40-g) jars plum preserves

    Directions

    1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, butter, and sugar, mixing until a coarse texture develops.
    2. Add orange zest and juice. Mix well.
    3. Make a well in the flour mixture and slowly add the eggs.
    4. Add the milk while continuing to mix.
    5. Form the dough with your hands but do not knead, and divide the dough into 6 parts.
    6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a cookie sheet.
    7. On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough so it is about 9 x 12 in (23 x 30 cm) in size.
    8. Place the dough on the cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes. 
    9. Cut about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the circumference of the dough. Reserve to make crumbs later. 
    10. Repeat the rolling, baking, and cutting for the remaining 5 parts of dough.
    11. Cook pudding according to package directions, but use half the amount of milk.
    12. Allow to cool.
    13. In a large bowl, cream the butter and add to the pudding.
    14. Put one cooled cake layer on a cake plate and spread preserves over the cake.
    15. Place a second layer of cake on top and spread with pudding.
    16. Repeat this process with the remaining layers.
    17. Spread a thin layer of pudding around the top and sides of cake.
    18. Put leftover cake pieces into a food processor to make crumbs and sprinkle these over top of cake.
    19. Chill for 2–4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.