Kueh Lapis Batavia (Indonesian Layer cake)

Also known as Spekkoek, this is a really rich and time consuming cake to make.  More information on the origins of the cake can be found here.  The home made mixed spice is well worth the effort (since you're going to be spending hours grilling the cake you might as well make your own spice right?!)

Mixed Spice
30g Cinnamon quill
20 whole cloves (remove stems)
1 start anise
20 green cardamom (remove husks

Toast the above spices over low heat for 15 - 20 mins
Grind spices in spice grinder until very fine.


Ingredients
450g Butter
1 - 2 tsp mixed spice
115g plain flour
17 egg yolks
250g sugar
5 egg whites
2 T brandy

Cream butter until light and fluffy.
Sift Mixed spice and flour
Beat eggs yolks with 200g sugar until thick
Beat Egg whites with remaining sugar until stiff peaks form
Fold in egg yolk mixture, egg white mixture into the butter mixture alternating with the flour.  Add the brandy last.

Grease the bottom of a small square cake tin with butter and line with baking paper.
Heat the pan under a hot grill for a few minutes.
Put a ladleful of batter into the bottom of the pan and grill until its golden brown.
Take pan out of the oven and prick with skewer to prevent any air bubbles and pour another ladleful of batter into the pan and spread it evenly and grill until it is golden brown.  Repeat this process until all the batter is used up. 
After last layer is grilled, change oven setting to bake and bake for further 10 to 15 minutes to ensure that the cake is cooked.

Cool in pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!