Birthday Cake with phyllo
October 22, 2010 • Category: Dessert
This cake is one I made to celebrate a cousin’s birthday. I had zero time to pipe some swirls of frosting and so I used phyllo sheets that I cut in triangles in lieu of a polished frosting.
The cake is a sponge cake, cut in the middle horizontally and filled with vanilla ashtaliyeh or custard (in the middle) and chocolate ashtaliyeh on the top. The phyllo triangles are buttered and placed all around the cake in an overlapping fashion; the cake is sent back in the oven for a few minutes until the phyllo layers are golden and crispy.
Cooled for a few minutes, dusted with some powdered sugar and served.
To make the custard or ashtaliyeh, click here. I doubled the quantities and melted sweet chocolate in one half.
The sponge cake is a basic sponge cake made with six eggs, no fat of any kind.
If you would like a detailed recipe, let me know.
Mrs. Knechtle is the owner of a pastry shop in Beirut, La Brioche. She and her husband Alfred who was Swiss, ran it for decades. Now in her mid-nineties and a widow, Mrs Knechtle still maintains La Brioche and opens it for business every day. I hold them both responsible for my acute sweet tooth. I have had more mille-feuilles, éclairs and hot chocolate at their shop than I care to remember.
I had to go there again and check out the place; nothing and I mean nothing had moved. The same Swiss bibelots (knick-knacks) on the shelves, the same hand-written signs, the same benches and chairs. I asked Mrs Knechtle who made the pastries and cakes, since her husband had been the pastry chef. She replied: ” I do it all myself”, pride and towering dignity in her voice. God bless her!
Comments
44 Comments • Comments Feed
Aida from Mexico says:
Yes please I would love to have a detailed recipe of this lovely cake.
Thank you Joumana.
On October 22, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Jean says:
This cake is beautiful and your idea brilliant! I would never have thought to use phyllo to dress up a cake like this but it works and very well!
Your Mrs. Knechtle seems like a sweet woman and I’m amazed that she still works. She must be very strong and in great health–I hope she stays that way for a long time. 🙂
On October 22, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Amanda says:
What a clever idea, Joumana! I am nowhere near resourceful enough to have thought of doing that – and the petals look lovely.
On October 23, 2010 at 1:39 am
Grapefruit says:
How ingenious and so pretty! Shows how a little imagination can go a long way in creating a unique dessert 🙂
On October 23, 2010 at 1:47 am
deeba says:
How inspiring Mrs Knechtle and La Brioche are, and you, for delivering the sweet tale! I love your take on the cake Joumana. Novel and fun!!
On October 23, 2010 at 2:06 am
Rosa says:
A lovely cake! Happy birthday to your cousin.
Cheers,
Rosa
On October 23, 2010 at 2:45 am
SYLVIA says:
Joumana, you’re very skilled, and have the most original recipes, this is a decadent, a very sexy Saturday night dessert, and a showstopping centerpiece. So heavenly so perfect, signaling and begging to be served for the festivities. Joumana, Is it possible to send me the recipe? I thank you kindly.
Mediterranean couscous is perfect for a ladies luncheon, has a distinctive combination of ingredients such as molasses, and zaatar, and sweet and savory flavors which I love.
It was fun to chew mastic gum while growing up, was exotic, sweet, a bit hard and had a nice flavor, it will be perfect for passing out like a Halloween candy to trick o treaters.
On October 23, 2010 at 3:13 am
Nadji says:
Grâce à toi, nous avons l’impression de connaitre le Liban de l’intérieur.
Un gâteau croustillant qui a dû beaucoup plaire au cousin.
Il m’aurait plus à moi aussi.
Bon week-end et à bientôt.
On October 23, 2010 at 4:50 am
Joanne says:
I’ve never seen a cake that uses phyllo dough like this before but it looks fantastic!
On October 23, 2010 at 7:09 am
Angie's Recipes says:
I would love one phyllo cake for the birthday! Looks really great even without frosting!
On October 23, 2010 at 9:07 am
Jen_from_NJ says:
I love the idea of using phyllo in lieu of frosting! Brilliant!
On October 23, 2010 at 9:43 am
Priya says:
Cute looking cake..
On October 23, 2010 at 9:45 am
Katerina says:
I would love to see the inside of this cake. It looks like you have combined western and eastern sweet methods in one sweet. And that pastry shop is there anyone to continue all this great job these two people were and still is doing?
On October 23, 2010 at 10:16 am
Joumana says:
Katerina: not that I know of; Mrs Knechtle is by hersef.
Eve: It is fixed now, sorry!
Valerie: I was afraid of the heat melting the custard too, but the ashtaliyeh is thickened with a lot of cornstarch and maybe that’s why it stayed put! (there are no eggs in the custard either)
Aida: I will post the entire recipe soon!
On October 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
PJ says:
What a brilliant idea to use phyllo sheets!!Loved reading about that pasrty shop too..
On October 23, 2010 at 10:19 am
A Canadian Foodie says:
I am surprised the heat didn’t melt the custard in the cake… maybe the short time and the cold cake worked to avoid that. It looks very Mediterranean – and GORGEOUS!
XO
On October 23, 2010 at 10:19 am
Claudia says:
the phyllo is so softly draped – it is lovely. I …sort of … buy phyllo (shh)… it scares me.
On October 23, 2010 at 11:16 am
Eve@CheapEthnicEatz says:
Brilliant cake decoration indeed. Looks beautiful. I think the link to the ashtaliyeh does not work?
On October 23, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Simon says:
What a unique idea! I wish there were pastry shops like La Brioche here in Japan. Pastry here is generally not very sweet. Pleasing to the eye, but not rich like those in the Middle East.
On October 23, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Sushma Mallya says:
it looks amazing
On October 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Suzanne Blum says:
The memories of La Brioche and the Knechtle family linger forever in my memory.
Thank you for sharing. It’s as sweet as your cake.
On October 23, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Mary says:
The cake looks amazing with the phyllo draped over it, and much tastier and more interesting in texture than frosting. The jar of Puck cream cheese caught my eye–I have seen it here, and I really want to buy some, mostly for the glass with the lid! Can I use it to make the ashtaliyeh? The link calls for Kiri cheese. Thanks!
On October 23, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Joumana says:
Mary: The puck cheese spread is widely used in Lebanon and sold in the middle-eastern groceries in North America. I use it either in squares or in the tub for making the ashtaliyeh or to thicken ashta or cream when making pastries; I have used it also when making cookie or pie dough. It is very versatile. My mom eats the squares for breakfast!
On October 24, 2010 at 12:12 am
Katerina says:
Hi Joumana. Thanks for the comment you left on my baklava recipe. You are right about pistachios. This is the barrier of language. In Greece we all call them peanuts, so that’s why I wrote it that way. I’ve already changed it. Thanks again for letting me know.
On October 24, 2010 at 12:39 am
Sarah Galvin (All Our Fingers in the Pie) says:
Very creative. I am not a fan of frostings so this is a great alternative to dress up a simple cake.
On October 24, 2010 at 12:24 pm
peter says:
Joumana, great thinking on your feet…different and I’m sure the cake was a pleasant surprise when you presented it! I too would love to see the inside of the cake. 😉
On October 24, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Lea Ann says:
What a beautiful cake. I’m not a frosting fan, so I’m really liking this Idea. Joumana, thanks for stopping by my blog. About a month ago, I had a computer problem where I lost all of my RSS Feeds. I’ve been trying to reinstate all of the blogs I follow and knew I was still missing a few.
On October 24, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Faith says:
The phyllo is such a fun idea, Joumana! It really is a very pretty cake and I love the crunch it adds.
On October 24, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Devaki says:
Dear Joumana – This is brilliant as always….so unique that it blows my mind! What a concept to use phyllo and so very stunning. BTW, sponge cake in my bete noir! PLEASE email me your no fail recipe…I need it all the time and always have to say my prayers before I begin!
Would love the whole recipe for this cake…fantastic concept, fantastic execution.
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
On October 24, 2010 at 4:24 pm
northshorewoman says:
The cake is gorgeous and Mrs. K is amazing. Where does a 90 something woman draw her energies from to bake every day? She must have a loyal customer base.
On October 24, 2010 at 6:48 pm
grace says:
what a unique and tasty birthday cake. i do love me some phyllo–great work!
On October 25, 2010 at 1:51 am
Isabelle says:
Nice to hear about these Swiss confiseurs in Beyrouth 🙂 “La Brioche”looks like a lovely place to visit and linger for a while in the scent of all those delicious ingredients and spices. I love the way you adapted your own cake, it looks and sounds very Mediterranean.
On October 25, 2010 at 4:17 am
Oui, Chef says:
What a gorgeous and creative twist on a birthday cake, I love the way it looks, and I BET it tasted even better! – S
On October 25, 2010 at 8:46 am
Dana says:
I really like the idea of phyllo on a cake. Beside texture, it is just so exotic looking. Not your every day cake!
On October 25, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Brigitte says:
La Brioche, c’est tout simplement une partie de l’histoire de Beyrouth. Savez-vous que la famille Knechtle a ouvert également La Brioche à Fribourg, en Suisse? Auparavant, j’y rencontrais souvent Mme Knechtle qui venait y passer quelques mois chaque année. Je la rencontrais ensuite lors de mes visites à Beyrouth, je ne manquais jamais de passer déguster une douceur à la Brioche de Hamra. La Brioche is part of Beirut history. Do you know that the family Knechtle has opened the same La Brioche in Fribourg, Switzerland? Before, I used to meet Mrs Knechtle very often as she was spending few months every year in Switzerland. Then, it was my pleasure to meet her again in Beirut.
On July 20, 2011 at 11:13 am
Joumana says:
@Brigitte: Non je ne savais pas qu’il existait une “brioche” en Suisse également/ Quelle histoire unique, typiquement libanaise.
On July 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Chris says:
Thank you for the article and the photos of La Brioche. Last time I have been to it was in ’83. Do you know if it is still open for business? Do you happen to have their recipe for their famous cinnamon rolls?
On January 22, 2013 at 10:56 am
Joumana says:
@Chris: I went there before the end of Summer 2012 and it was closed. I think the owner told me that she divides her time between Switzerland and Lebanon. I was thinking of checking again to see if she is back. Last time I walked by it was closed again (a month ago). Sadly, I dont have the recipe for their cinnamon rolls.
On January 22, 2013 at 11:34 am
marleine says:
Quelle belle histoire !
Je n’ai pas connue cette patisserie mais je le regrette fortement . Je suis sure qu’une fois qu’on entre dans ce lieux magique , on a l’impression de faire un voyage dans le temps , la ou tout est fait a la main “the old fashion way ” . Cette femme est un exemple de courage ,de passion et d’amour pour la vie .que dieu la benisse.
Cet endeoit ecxiste t il encore ? Je serai ravie d’y faire un saut la prochaine fois ou je serai au liban
On November 14, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Christine Simm says:
As a special treat my mother would take us occasionally on a Saturday afternoon for a cake and drink here between 1954-65. I have never forgotten the excitement and the sheer pleasure of the treat. Not other bakery has quite compared it.
On October 20, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Joumana Accad says:
@Christine Simm Yes! I can relate! It was a special place and a special time, indeed.
On October 25, 2021 at 7:41 pm
paula says:
I am having one of those nostalgic days and obviously drowning in anger and frustration . My blood is boiling.
I close my eyes and my brain takes me back on memory lane straight to La brioche.
I am imagining people rushing to pick up cakes and pastries , never ending conversations , relationships that stretched over decades at this place , the smell of a good cofee with whatever they were serving that day , how many times they faced challenges and kept runnung their business. I am afraid mrs Knechtle is no longer with us but she so beautifully portrays what a true lebanese is.
I would give everything to have one more coffee there .
This too shall pass . We got this. My lebanon will rise again .
On October 18, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Joumana says:
@paula I completely understand you, as I feel the same way. I never got over the war I witnessed
in 2006 and this is just a reminder of how evil this world can be. Like you say, we have to keep reminding ourselves that this too shall pass, and that OUR Lebanon will rise again.
On October 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm