Austria’s town of Bad Ischl attacked the spa scene in the early 19th century, but when Kaiser Franz Josef began to use the site as his summer retreat, it became the next big destination. When the weather in Vienna becomes too overwhelming in summer, Caesar and all his clothes hangers will stake the cool alpine climate of Salzkammergut, Austria. Kaiser’s entourage includes his companion, actress Katharina Schratt.
It is said that Kaiser’s Summer Square and Villa Schratt are secret roads between Kaiser’s country house bought for his girlfriend. It wouldn’t be a secret if the Kaiser witness in the morning put the phrase “Oh, Kaiser’s guglhupf!” “A part of the vernacular. Similarly, Ms. Slat welcomed Kaiser’s regular visits with freshly baked Guglhupf or Bundt Cake.
Classic Guglhupf via Wikimedia
If heaven forbids, Ms. Schratt’s guglhupf fails to rise, she will Candy coffee fence. The bakery claims to still use the original recipe – which includes four eggs and fresh yeast. Nothing that dry and fast-rise thing to kaiser, no sir. There are some variations in Guglhupf – there are yellow cakes, chocolate or chocolate, and sometimes even additives like berries or raisins. Usually, the finished cake is sprinkled with powdered sugar, but may be coated with chocolate glycerin.
Until Kaiser made Guglhupf popular with 1% of the popularity, the cake was considered a bit low for rent because it didn’t require the ingredients to be spent. Compare it to the Snobbier Sachertorte that requires exquisite chocolate, double cream and apricot jam. The humble Guglhupf is yeast, butter, flour, eggs and milk. You can love it, but you don’t have to.
Pam Mandel’s pastry box at Zauner
The Pfarrgasse salon in Zauner is a great place to enjoy a piece of Guglhupf if you happen to be not interested in baking. The cafe has been in a bad state since 1832 and Kaiser keeps it cool. The setting reflects the formal style of Kaiser’s era – the walls have chandeliers and potted palms and portraits, while the staff wear flawless white shirts, but it’s not a stuffy place. People wear hiking gear (or winter skiing clothes) mixed with fur and older gentlemen wearing traditional Austrian outfits. Zauner has a second location in the Marina River – has been restored to the original decoration of the 1940s.
No matter where you get your style, it’s more than just a piece of cake. This is part of a royal tradition involving Kaiser, a confidante and breakfast cake. You know, simple country happy, Austrian style.
Top image: Kaiservilla of Bad Ischl by Wikimedia
