One of the most traditional things and a must have in Iceland is the "Hjónabandssæla" or Marriage Bliss cake. This recipe is really simple and takes only about 10 minutes to prepare and about 45 minutes in the oven. I put this recipe in our blog because many have asked about it and here it comes:
First, set your oven to 175°C or about 350°F
Blend together the dry stuff:
1/2 cup sugar
2-3 tsp baking soda
2 cups wheat flower
3 cups oatmeal
Now add 250 gr margarine or butter (9 oz or 1/2 pound) in little portions
I usually start the mixer and cut the margarine in small pieces and add it while cutting
Leave a small piece and smear the inside a round cake or baking form about 23 cm or 9 inch
Stop mixing when the dough has blended but before it all becomes as one clump!
Now take 2/3 of the dough and put it in the baking form. Pad it lightly, don't use force!
Take about 1,5 cups of Rhubarb jam and smear that on top of the dough. Don't let it go all the way to the edges for it will then burn.
Take the rest of the dough and drizzle it over the jam and all the way to the edges of the form. Pad lightly.
Put it in the hot oven and wait until the cake has turned light brown!
Voilah!
We love this cake directly from the oven and sometimes take bites by using a spoon to dip it boiling hot into a cold glass of milk. The cake (like everything else) also tastes delicious with whipped cream.
Beware the jam can be super hot and easily burn your tongue!
