Moravian Sugar Cake Recipe Is a rich and delicious cake tradition in Pennsylvania Dutch “PennDutch” kitchens. It’s a family favorite with its rich, dense, crumbly, and moist texture.
This silky textured cake is the perfect addition to any breakfast or dessert buffet. Moravian Sugar Cake Recipe is traditionally made using brown sugar but may also use white sugar if desired.
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, but that may be replaced with salted butter if desired.
How To Make Moravian Sugar Cake Recipe?
Ingredients
For the Cake Filling:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup pure vanilla extract (preferably homemade) or flavoring extracts, such as almond or vanilla bean paste
For the Cake Topping:
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute white whole wheat flour if desired). Please note that if you are replacing the all-purpose flour with wheat flour, you may need to add one or two tablespoons of cornmeal to achieve desired texture of the cake.
- 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
Directions
For the Cake Filling:
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick vegetable oil spray or butter. Line the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and grease again to release this cake easily later.
Step 2. Cream together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy and well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition (custard should be very thick). Stir in vanilla extract.
Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 38 minutes, until cake is lightly golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean but not dry. Let cool completely before removing it from the pan.
For the Cake Topping:
Step 1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, butter, and sugar with a pastry blender or 2 table knives until the mixture is crumbly and even size. Do not over mix as it should remain slightly chunky.
Step 2. Crumble topping over cooled cake.
Step 3. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until topping is browned and beginning to bubble. Remove from oven, stir and let cool slightly before cutting into squares.
This delicious Moravian sugar cake can be enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or tea while reading your favorite book or watching a movie on the weekend with family and friends. Enjoy this Moravian sugar cake recipe!
Nutrition Fact
Serving Size: 1 square (1/16 of the cake)
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 115 |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Cholesterol | 34 mg |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
Where does Moravian Sugar Cake come from?
The origin of Moravian Sugar Cake is Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. The Pennsylvania Dutch are a group of people originally from Germany whose ancestors left around the 17th century to avoid religious persecution, who then migrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania.
The word “Dutch” is a misnomer, as they are German. Their language, “Pennsylvania Dutch,” is a German dialect still spoken in some parts of Pennsylvania and most notably in Lancaster County by Orthodox Amish communities.
8 Healthy Benefits Of Moravian Sugar Cake Recipe
1. Good Source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Moravian Sugar Cake recipe is high in niacin, which helps lower bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol. It also helps treat hormonal disorders such as precocious puberty, adult-onset diabetes, hypothyroidism, and others.
2. Helps to Treat Obesity
Moravian Sugar Cake recipe is rich in niacin, specifically Niacinamide, which helps in boosting metabolism and controlling the craving for sugar. It also helps prevent Obesity and it also helps prevent diabetes and hyperglycemia.
3. High Source of Fiber
Moravian Sugar Cake recipe is high in dietary fiber, which helps promote digestive health. Since it is high in dietary fiber, it also helps keep the insulin levels under control and improves blood glucose.
4. Good Source of Magnesium
High in magnesium, the dietary fiber in this recipe supports the enzyme synthesis and metabolism processes at various levels and helps maintain bone health, a healthy heart, and normal muscle function.
5. Good Source of Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is necessary for producing red blood cells and amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins that keep the body functioning properly. It also helps release energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates and keeps anemia at bay. This vitamin protects against heart disease as well as depression.
6. Good Source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Moravian Sugar Cake recipe is high in thiamin which helps treat anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and nervousness. It is also helpful in treating hypothyroidism and mental retardation (at very low doses).
7. Good Source of Zinc
Zinc is required for the growth and maintenance of red blood cells. It also helps regulate pH balance, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein synthesis.
8. High Source of Folate
Folate deficiency can cause nerve damage, especially in the brain. Folate is necessary to form healthy red blood cells and aids in cell division during pregnancy to ensure the normal development of the baby’s brain and central nervous system structures.
Have Any Side Effects?
Yes, this recipe may have some side effects. You need to read the ingredients of this recipe and check whether it is causing any side effects. Here’s a list of some of the side effects you can expect from consuming this Moravian Sugar Cake.
1. Increase in Obesity: As the amount of fat in foods increases, so does the Risk of Obesity.
2. High Blood Pressure: Moravian Sugar Cake recipe can increase your blood pressure as several grams of sodium is in it.
3. High Cholesterol: Moravian Sugar Cake can increase cholesterol by having several grams of saturated fat in it.
4. Kidney Stones: This recipe’s saturated fats and sodium can cause kidney stones.
5. Osteoporosis: Vitamin D deficiency is the leading cause of osteoporosis, and the Moravian Sugar Cake recipe is a common source of Vitamin D.
Conclusion
This delicious Moravian sugar cake recipe is a good dessert to serve on special occasions. You will surely love this tasty Moravian sugar cake recipe and make it again and again. So why wait? Try this delicious Moravian sugar cake now! Enjoy!