Taking the cake for the Idul Fitri celebration.

(From The Jakarta Post)

1. 'Kue Lapis Legit'

One of the most popular cakes during the Idul Fitri celebration. This recipe is a "homemade" one from the northern coastal area of Central Java.

Ingredients: 170 g butter; 170 g ground sugar; 5 egg yolks; 85 g wheat flour; 1 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp ground cardamom; 5 egg whites, 50 g; 1 tbs butter for greasing

Method: 1. Beat butter until creamy. Add ground sugar and egg yolks. Continue beating until thick. 2. Mix wheat flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and sift. Add little by little to the beaten butter while mixing. 3. Beat egg whites until stiff and add to the mixture of no. 2. Mix thoroughly. 4. Take a round or oblong baking tin and grease with butter. Then pour in a sufficient amount of batter to cover the tin thinly. Bake in the oven at medium heat until done and brownish. Grease the baked layer thinly with butter and put another layer over the first. Continue until the batter is finished.

'Note: To make a moister version, do not totally close the oven door.'

(Makes 25 slices)

2. 'Lapis Surabaya'

A modified but no less satisfying version of 'kue lapis legit'. For people who like robust appearances and are not hesitant about consuming egg yolks.

Ingredients: 12 egg yolks; 6 egg whites; 400 g ground sugar; 1 tbs ovalet (cake improver, available at supermarkets); 300 wheat flour (sifted); 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp vanilla powder; 300 g butter (melted); 2 tbs cocoa powder; 3 tsp butter, for greasing; 3 tsp wheat flour (for dusting); 100 g strawberry jam.

Method: 1. Beat egg …