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The world’s oldest dessert isn’t what you think
Can you imagine a world without desserts? Neither can we! It seems fitting, then, to pay homage to the world’s oldest dessert – the very first recipe that set sweet teeth in motion for centuries of sugar cravings.
The need for something sweet to eat after, or even alongside, dinner is something that humans have felt for generations, even millennia. The Spruce Eats reports that the Turkish dish aşure, a sweet pudding made with grains, beans, and fruit, was one of the earliest sweetened dishes – according to legend, it was created by Noah on his ark. LovetoKnow shares that before refined sugar was created and exported around the world, sweet dishes were typically made with fresh or dried fruit, cream, and botanicals such as mallow and licorice.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that desserts began to look like what we see today, such as the beautiful and intricate pastries and cakes created by pastry chefs (via Food & Wine.) Sugar was even molded into elaborate centerpieces for banquets. This century also saw the creation of the first recorded dessert, a medley of sweetened pastry and sweeter filling: the Linzer Torte.
The oldest dessert in the world is an Austrian favorite.
A recipe for Linzer Torte dating back to 1653 was discovered at Admont Abbey in Austria, making it the oldest known dessert recipe, according to the Southland Times. They also share that the cake is a favorite in several other countries, including Germany, Hungary, and Italy.
So what is a Linzer Torte? According to the recipe on Austria’s official website, it’s a round pastry with a lattice top. The crust is made with butter, spices like cinnamon and cloves, lemon juice, and ground nuts. Between the crust and the lattice there is a layer of redcurrant jam. It’s sweet from top to bottom!
Not surprisingly, a dessert this old has seen some variations over the years. NYT Cooking makes a holiday Linzer torte with a cranberry-orange filling and a crust of ground almonds and hazelnuts. Smitten Kitchen’s version uses ground walnuts in the crust and a raspberry jam filling. And BBC Food’s Linzer Torte has a layer of super-sweet almond marzipan over the crust, topped with homemade ground beef. The cake even inspired a cookie version, according to The Kitchn. The Linzer cookies look like miniature versions of a Linzer torte, with almond sugar cookies sandwiching a redcurrant jam filling. Instead of a lattice top, the top cookie has a cutout to let the red jam peek through.
Okay, since when does a history lesson make us so hungry?
When we delve into the history of desserts, it’s fascinating to discover that the oldest dessert in the world is not what you might expect. Instead of an exotic or elaborate creation, it is a humble Austrian pastry known as Linzer Torte.
The recipe for Linzer Torte dates back to 1653 and was found in the Admont Monastery in Austria. This discovery cemented its status as the oldest known dessert recipe. However, the popularity of Linzer Torte extends far beyond Austria. It is also enjoyed in Germany, Hungary, Italy and other countries.
What makes the Linzer Torte unique is its composition. It has a round pastry crust with a lattice design on top. The crust is made with ingredients such as butter, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice and ground nuts. Between the crust and the lattice is a layer of delicious redcurrant jam, adding a burst of sweetness to every bite.
Over the centuries, the Linzer Torte has undergone various adaptations and interpretations. Different recipes include alternative fillings and crust variations, allowing for personalization and creativity. For example, some holiday versions feature cranberry-orange fillings or crusts made with ground almonds and hazelnuts. Others incorporate raspberry jam or almond marzipan for added flavor and texture.
The popularity of Linzer Torte even inspired the creation of Linzer Keks, which are miniature versions of the torte. These cookies consist of layers of almond sugar cookie sandwiching a delicious redcurrant jam filling. Instead of a lattice top, the top cookie is often decorated with a cutout to showcase the bright red jam.
Exploring the history and evolution of Linzer Torte reminds us of the enduring appeal of desserts. From ancient times to the present, people have always sought out sweet treats to satisfy their cravings. The Linzer Torte is a testament to the timeless appeal of desserts and the creativity of bakers and pastry chefs throughout history.
The world’s oldest dessert isn’t what you think.
Can you imagine a world without desserts? Neither can we! It seems fitting, then, to pay homage to the world’s oldest dessert – the very first recipe that set sweet teeth in motion for centuries of sugar cravings.
The need for something sweet to eat after, or even alongside, dinner is something that humans have felt for generations, even millennia. The Spruce Eats reports that the Turkish dish aşure, a sweet pudding made with grains, beans, and fruit, was one of the earliest sweetened dishes – according to legend, it was created by Noah on his ark. LovetoKnow shares that before refined sugar was created and exported around the world, sweet dishes were typically made with fresh or dried fruit, cream, and botanicals such as mallow and licorice.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that desserts began to look like they do today, such as the beautiful and intricate pastries and cakes created by pastry chefs (via Food & Wine.) Sugar was even molded into elaborate centerpieces for banquets. This century also saw the creation of the first recorded dessert, a medley of sweetened pastry and sweeter filling: the Linzer Torte.
The oldest dessert in the world is an Austrian favorite.
A recipe for Linzer Torte dating back to 1653 was discovered at Admont Abbey in Austria, making it the oldest known dessert recipe, according to the Southland Times. They also share that the cake is a favorite in several other countries, including Germany, Hungary, and Italy.
So what is a Linzer Torte? According to the recipe on Austria’s official website, it’s a round pastry with a lattice top. The crust is made with butter, spices like cinnamon and cloves, lemon juice, and ground nuts. Between the crust and the lattice there is a layer of redcurrant jam. It’s sweet from top to bottom!
Not surprisingly, a dessert this old has seen some variations over the years. NYT Cooking makes a holiday Linzer torte with a cranberry-orange filling and a crust of ground almonds and hazelnuts. Smitten Kitchen’s version uses ground walnuts in the crust and a raspberry jam filling. And BBC Food’s Linzer Torte has a layer of super-sweet almond marzipan over the crust, topped with homemade ground beef. The cake even inspired a cookie version, according to The Kitchn. The Linzer cookies look like miniature versions of a Linzer torte, with almond sugar cookies sandwiching a redcurrant jam filling. Instead of a lattice top, the top cookie has a cutout to let the red jam peek through.
Okay, since when does a history lesson make us so hungry?
When we delve into the history of desserts, it’s fascinating to discover that the oldest dessert in the world is not what you might expect. Instead of an exotic or elaborate creation, it is a humble Austrian pastry known as Linzer Torte.
The recipe for Linzer Torte dates back to 1653 and was found in the Admont Monastery in Austria. This discovery cemented its status as the oldest known dessert recipe. However, the popularity of Linzer Torte extends far beyond Austria. It is also enjoyed in Germany, Hungary, Italy and other countries.
What makes the Linzer Torte unique is its composition. It has a round pastry crust with a lattice design on top. The crust is made with ingredients such as butter, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice and ground nuts. Between the crust and the lattice is a layer of delicious redcurrant jam, adding a burst of sweetness to every bite.
Over the centuries, the Linzer Torte has undergone various adaptations and interpretations. Different recipes include alternative fillings and crust variations, allowing for personalization and creativity. For example, some holiday versions feature cranberry-orange fillings or crusts made with ground almonds and hazelnuts. Others incorporate raspberry jam or almond marzipan for added flavor and texture.
The popularity of Linzer Torte even inspired the creation of Linzer Keks, which are miniature versions of the torte. These cookies consist of layers of almond sugar cookie sandwiching a delicious redcurrant jam filling. Instead of a lattice top, the top cookie is often decorated with a cutout to showcase the bright red jam.
Exploring the history and evolution of Linzer Torte reminds us of the enduring appeal of desserts. From ancient times to the present, people have always sought out sweet treats to satisfy their cravings. The Linzer Torte is a testament to the timeless appeal of desserts and the creativity of bakers and pastry chefs throughout history.
FAQS
The oldest dessert in the world is the Linzer Torte, a traditional Austrian pastry dating back to 1653.
How was the Linzer Torte discovered to be the oldest dessert?
The recipe for Linzer Torte was found in Admont Monastery in Austria, making it the oldest known dessert recipe.
What is the composition of Linzer Torte?
The Linzer Torte has a round pastry crust with a lattice design on top. The crust is made with ingredients such as butter, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice and ground nuts. A layer of redcurrant jam is placed between the crust layers.
Are there variations of the Linzer Torte?
Yes, the Linzer Torte has been adapted and interpreted in many ways over the years. Some variations include different fillings, such as cranberry-orange or raspberry jam, and alternative crusts with ground almonds or hazelnuts.
Is Linzer Torte only popular in Austria?
No, the popularity of Linzer Torte extends beyond Austria. It is also enjoyed in countries such as Germany, Hungary, Italy and other parts of the world.
Has the Linzer Torte inspired other desserts?
Yes, the Linzer Torte inspired the creation of the Linzer Cookies. These cookies are miniature versions of the torte and consist of almond sugar cookie layers with a redcurrant jam filling.