Latvia is having a birthday next week, and I cannot think of many other occasions that could warrant making a lavish cake with delicate hazelnut meringue...
Honey cake (Medus kūka)
Honey cake… While living in Latvia, I often overlooked honey cake (medus kūka) as I preferred other pastries. Then this cake became more popular in Australia,...
Cottage cheese and semolina cake (Biezpiena plācenis)
Traditionally, round dairy dishes would be served on Palm Sunday (Pūpolsvētdiena) and Easter (Lieldienas). You could make cottage cheese pancakes, or go up a step and...
Jam tea cake (Ievārījuma kēkss)
What do you do with jam that has gone off? Latvians in all their thrifty knowledge will have an answer for this, of course. To be...
Lauku Torte
When you look at a recipe that requires a dozen eggs as a minimum, you know you have hit Latvian cooking gold. The name has it...
Poppy seed scrolls
Latvians love their pastries (smalkmaizītes). They come in all shapes and sizes, from braided buns with raisins and sugar glaze to custard filled nests to soft...
Rye Bread
Rye bread (rupjmaize, rudzu maize) always has been a staple of Latvian diet. Traditionally, Latvians ate whatever was available during the season – cereals, legumes and...
Sklandrausis
Sklandrausis is one of the most traditional and most unique Latvian dishes. It was the first Latvian dish that was granted “Traditional Speciality Guaranteed” status by...
Latvian cheesecake (biezpienmaize)
Biezpienmaize, literally cottage cheese bread, is my favourite cake in the world. My fondest cake memories are from the high school, when my friends and I...
Plum cake
This is a quick and easy cake that everyone will love – it is light and moist and perfect with a cup of tea. This is...