Name this cake: Guglhupf, Kugelhopf, Gugelhopf, Guglhopf…(a tricky twister!)…in plain English a typical ring-shape exquisite Austrian cake, with a gratifying culinary history behind it. Independently of the varied names and more or less ingredients, this Ringcake can achieve the maximum of your sweet expectations if you try it.
If you enjoyed the Sachertorte / Sacher torte especially of Wein (Vienna) or Salzburg in Austria you should taste this marvelous Guglhupf, a real pastry art for your joy.
The Sachertorte and the Guglhupf are different cake styles but for sure, both, deserve a big slice right now together with a cafe-coffee! The Kugelhopf is also delectable with sweet white wines like an aromatic flowery Riesling wine, typical of that area.
Let’s do it, Cafe-time with your Kugelhopf! and see the Guglhupf Culinary History
The Ringcake history goes back to the ancient Romans that were near to Vienna about 2000 years ago. Archaeological excavations on that region show that the used Roman baking pans are practically the same till today.
About the Ringcake shape, some explains that the form could be of the rotating sun at the Romans period, others to the Turkish turbans because the Turkish were in Austria at the 17th century.
As always in food history often the origin isn’t very clear but the Guglhupf came from the Austrian pastry and baking school. Anyway, dreamy variants can be tracked in Germany, Swiss and Alsace-France similar to a brioche.
One history is that the Guglhupf recipe arrived to France with Marie Antoinette coming from Austria; she had fondness for sweet breads and became very popular.
When the Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph began to order the Guglhupf for his daily breakfast, the Ringcake history changed for ever, switching to a next level.
The marbled cake Kugelhopf can be perfectly fruit topped or mmmm (sorry!) and as your morning-bread more honey or butter.
Do you know that there’s a luxury 5 star hotel that has a secret recipe of the original Vienna Ringcake that the Emperor Franz enjoyed for breakfast?
I’m talking about the sumptuous Grand Hotel Wien located in Austria, who has an original Guglhupf recipe.
Only I know that the original Guglhupf cake has white flour, butter, cacao in powder, salt, sugar…and many other ingredients more…taste it and tell me later!
As foodies… take a look of a Restaurant of the Grand Hotel!
Can you imagine delighting the Guglhupf and other enchants in some of the magnificent places like these?
How about to wake up in the morning in a great room like this and enjoy the first meal of your day with a Guglhupf?
The Guglhupf, Kugelhopf is nowadays heritage of the international culinary world with many recipes and available in different countries; but if you want the Original Wiener Guglhupf of the Emperor Franz, visit the Grand Hotel Wien for this Vienna-Ringcake.
The same is baked in the Grand Hotel bakery and It’s available in two sizes but with identical results, your tasty enjoyment!
I know that you’re wondering for Guglhupf recipes to try and to compete with professional ones. Well here they’re and enlighten me your delicious outcomes.
Guglhupf – Kugelhopf Recipes
- Kougelhopf by Elra
- TWD: Kugelhopf by Susan
- Tuesdays with Dorie—Kugelhopf by Shari
- Steinkogler Gugelhupf by Paz
- A Pastry Class at the Paris Lenôtre School by François-Xavier (FX)
- M Bakes #1: The Challenge – Gugelhupf by Meeta
- Majestic Austrian Morsels by Louise
- Lady Maria’s Schokogugelhupf by Johanna
- Kugelhopf by Aparna
- Have you tasted or baked a Guglhupf? How was your experience with this heavenly cake?
Don’t leave without seeing and vote the poll about: your food passion as culinary career or for pleasure?
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What an amazing history behind this delicious yeasty cake. I always like Kugelhopf (gosh, they are so many names too). So, the the scrumptuousoriginal Guglhupf recipe come from this hotel? had no idea. Wow, good to know.
Anyway, nice write up, and thanks for including my recipe here. I feel so special. Thanks Gera!
Cheers,
elra
Fantastic post Gera! Although it has produced in me an insatiable desire to hop on a plane to Vienna to partake of it! I think the Hotel Grand Wein is supposed to have really good sacher torte too
thanks for the history that hotel looks amazing, I can hear your spanish accent as you type! Rebecca ([email protected])
Wow, this cake looks amazing! I’ve heard of it before but never tasted it. I think it’s time to make one!
The cake looks delicious!
Great info as always, I enjoyed.
Thank you.
wow! I had no idea how a simple cake like that holds such rich stories and history. amazing!
and thank you so much for your well wishes! made me feel all warm and happy inside!
It would be heaven to wake up in that lovely room with this glorious cake for breakfast! Like a dream come true!
Fascinating history! I’ve never tried this cake. I would love to have some with our Pearl ice wine, that sounds perfect right now!
A gorgeous history, thank you!
Makes me want to take an expensive vacation! The images are mouthwatering!
Ahh this really makes me miss Vienna!
I didn’t know what this was, although I heard the term before, – it’s also the name of a culinary show on TVGusto.
I don’t like sweets much, so probably that’s why I didn’t try it when I was in Vienna.
Looks absolutely amazing. Gret post on the history.
All this history is making me hungry! Great post, Gera
I made this – but really messed it up! LOL. Would love to actually try it made right!
I love learning the history behind a food. This cake is amazing and makes me envy people living in Vienna.
2 slices please!
@Elra
Thanks! You’ve done a delicious version of a Guglhupf
@Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella
Thanks!
I’ve the same feeling to go to Vienna and to have both the Kugelhopf and the Sacher Torte also
@Chow and Chatter
Thanks Rebecca! Yeah my Spanish accent isn’t like a Brit LOL
@Sara
I’d like to see a Guglhupf recipe coming from you Sara!
@Erica
Glad you like it, thanks Erica!
@Burpandslurp
A rich cake in terms of sweetness and culinary history. Sophia you totally deserve to go to USC!
@Reeni♥
So dreamy, isn’t it? Thanks Reeni!
@5 Star Foodie
Thanks Natasha! Guglhupf with Pearl ice wine looks a wonderful pairing
@SavoryTv
Thanks a lot Heidi!
@~Dana
Thanks for coming by Dana!
It seems expensive vacations for several people
@Irene
Thanks for stopping by Irene!
Lovely city
@Mihaela Lica
Thank you!
The different names can be found in several countries also, perhaps you change about sweets if you try the Guglhupf
@Jason @ Jason’s BBQ Adventures
Happy you like it Jason! Thanks!
@Averagebetty
The same reaction when I read it again! Thank you
@HoneyB
No doubt you can make the Kugelhopf perfect next time LOL
@Zerrin
Glad you like Zerrin! A pleasure your visit
@The Duo Dishes
Better the whole Ringcake hehe!
absolutely stunning! I’d love a piece and a glass of milk. muchisimas gracias.
Fantastic post full of great history, gorgeous photos and even multiple recipes to choose from! I’ll have fun looking through all of them and building up an appetite. I’ve heard the name “Kugelhopf” but have never tasted it before. It looks incredible and as I sit here typing and sipping my coffee, I wish I could have a slice!
What a great post! I now have to go to Vienna.
hey gera.. ive never tried this amazing cake name Guglhupf.. hehe name is fuuny but the cake look fabulous and delish.. cant wait to taste this yummy cake.. stunning photoes of the hotel specially the cake. excellent writing gera.. keep it up!! cheers!!
This is a wonderful, wonderful post!! We had no idea that Kugelhopf cake was so illustrious? Our neighbor had an Austrian Cook and he would bake this cake often. We were lucky to get large slices of the extras? We have tried to make it but really did not compare to the old cook’s luscious taste? we will try some of these or maybe order one from the Hotel? Thank you for this we loved it! Best, s
What a great post! Kugelhopf is a fantastic speciality!
Have a wonderful week!
Cheers,
Rosa
Fun cake! I LOVE how you gave the background on it – it looks amazing too!
That looks absolutely delicious! Great photos and story!
Gera..ur killing me with all that delectable sacher torte…love food with history (as you may have guessed from my blog) but right now I am craving these
I love the history behind this yummy cake, I know Vienna is known for having awesome pastry shops.
anyway, send me a slice of that cake so I can have it with my coffee
Wow what a history! wonderful post. i would love to wake up in “that” room with a few slices please:-) but how? i wish i had the magic carpet.
I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a Kugelhopf. And a pleasure it would be, I’m sure, from the likes of those photos. I mean, a tall, yeasty, cocoa-filled cake? What’s not to like?
Thank you so much for stopping by. Thank you for sharing all of the recipe contests. It helps a lot.
Vienna is great city, i love how you described your adventure down there, i wish i would try this cake one day!
of course this post got my attention
and here’s one more kugelhopf recipe for your excellent roundup above: http://mykugelhopf.ch/2010/10/laduree-cookbook/
glad to have discovered your blog now too !
Kerrin would love you to read..Obsessed with… Granola
I’ve tried one from a wedding I attended with my family. I must say that it’s quite different from the cakes that I’ve tasted before. I’ll check out the recipes and see if I can bake it. Thanks!