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46 HOOK MAGAZINE | 2024 Moldavian Holiday Woodpile Cake Central & Eastern European Recipe Note: organic ingredients (always check label) are the most flavorful and healthiest choice. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, if well covered. By Dr. Irina Gelman A deliciously different, simple holiday dessert that is customizable, easy to assem- ble, can be made ahead leaving more time for holiday celebration. In Moldova and Romania, this traditional Christmas and New Year holiday dessert is known as Guguta's Hat cake. Originating from a Moldovan children's tale written by Spiridon Vangeli Guguta is a folktale hero who wears a traditional Astrakhan triangular shepherd's hat that is magical, because it can change size and grow big enough to keep friends warm, even growing large enough to cover the whole village. This dessert by any other name will taste as sweet. May also be called Log Cabin cake, Monastery Hut cake, Firewood under Snow cake and Hermit in the Woods cake. Most of these names come from Central and Eastern Europe. Guguta's Hat Cake Painting by Viktor Duvidov in the Spiridon Vangeli's "Gugutse's Hat" INGREDIENTS 16 Servings (8 Slices) Crepe (Blini) Batter 2 cups milk 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil (more for greasing the pan) Cherry Filling 2 packages (12-16 oz each) frozen, pitted sour cherries 1/4 cup of cherry liqueur or wine (optional) Frosting 1 package (16 oz) sour cream 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided Topping Grated dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chopped walnuts, toasted almond or coconut flakes.

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