Moravian Sugar Cake
Not quite cake (though it’s a close cousin to coffee cake), and not quite bread (though it looks like a sugar-laden focaccia), Moravian sugar cake is perhaps most similar in spirit to cinnamon rolls. A popular holiday treat with origins in what is now the Czech Republic, it can be found at Moravian bakeries in North Carolina and Pennsylvania but can also be made easily at home. The secret ingredient is mashed potato, which gets folded into an enriched yeasted dough that is quite sticky but requires very little kneading and minimal proofing. The end result is a cake that’s tender and pillowy, a not-too-sweet base that really showcases its caramelized sugar crust, dimpled with pockets of jammy sweetness (which are its hidden treasures). Moravian sugar cake is best served warm from the oven with a cup of coffee, so, if making ahead, plan for extra time to reheat it before serving. Your house will smell amazing.
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