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By: Amanda M. Faison

Category: Table Talk

Posted: October 12, 2012 8:30 AM

Tags: TAG Burger, Sushi Sasa, Sushi Den, Madison Street Grill, Heather Alcott, Glaze: The Baum Cake Shoppe, Congress Park, baumkuchen, 20 days of giveaways

Coming Soon: Glaze

There are few things that make me happier than news of a pending bakery. This is especially true when it's a place like Glaze: The Baum Cake Shoppe, a high-end spot with a tight focus. In this case, the Congress Park shop will make and sell baumkuchen.

The origin of this treat, which is baked on a skewer rotisserie-style and famed for its 18 to 20 tree-like rings, is a little fuzzy. There's some determination that the cakes' roots extend all the way back to the Greeks. But it was very much a German tradition until after World War I, when a German prisoner of war (and a baker skilled in baumkuchen) introduced the dessert to the Japanese. The rest, as they say, is history.

As for how this "tree cake" has arrived in Denver, well, that's been a two year journey for Heather Alcott. The market researcher and former Congress Park resident spent years living in China and Singapore and traveling to and from Japan. One of those trips took her to the city of Kobe, where she first tried baum cake. That evening, she began researching the dessert and, ultimately, how to bring it to Denver.

The oven—nicknamed Red Dragon—is the first and only in the U.S.; it's expected to arrive in Denver on October 17. Alcott laughs when she talks about how pampered this piece of machinery is: The oven (pictured) has its own cabin on the ship, it'll be craned into the bakery later this month, and ultimately, an employee of the company that built it is flying from Japan to turn it on for the first time. Only those certified to work on the oven will be allowed to bake the baumkuchen.

The process is part of the magic, Alcott says, and the oven and kitchen will be encased in glass so customers can watch the cakes come together. The treats, which in Japan are a symbol of life and longevity and are often given as wedding gifts, are made from the purest of ingredients: farm-fresh eggs, almond flour, Callebaut chocolate, and—occasionally—matcha tea.

Alcott hopes to open Glaze by Thanksgiving, but she concedes that it'll take time to hone the oven and figure out the nuances of baking baumkuchen at altitude. When she does open, it'll be worth stopping by for a baum cake, a cup of Illy coffee, and the show. She has also been tapped by Sushi Sasa, and possibly Sushi Den, to supply the restaurants with the specialty desserts.

More Neighborhood News: Just up the street from Glaze, Madison Street Grill is morphing into TAG Burger. The newly concepted eatery will open Tuesday, October 16. Look for creative burgers (I've got my eye on the Colorado Proud with roasted green chile, goat cheese, and local wildflower honey) and craft beer.

Glaze, 1160 Madison St., 720-308-2420

TAG Burger, 1222 Madison St., 303-736-2260

THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!

Comments

YES!!

Submitted by jetiwi on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:58.

Oh wow - these look fabulous. So stoked they'll be available in Denver soon! 

Yes, please ...

Submitted by colvins on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:57.

More places to get cakes makes me happy. I know where I'll be going for saturday morning breakfast soon! 

Beautiful

Submitted by heatherhagwell on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:55.

I've never seen or heard of Linger before but it looks vibey!

been looking for these

Submitted by itanya on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:54.

This is great. I didn't realize we had these kind of cakes here in Denver. I know people that love them. 

Thanks for the article.

Oh man... my mouth is

Submitted by vdelarosa on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:54.

Oh man... my mouth is watering! Can't wait!

Delicious!

Submitted by jillianhowison on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:51.

Sounds amazing! And made with almond flour... perfect!

Delicious!

Submitted by Sandra Bales on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:50.

This sounds like a wonderful treat!

Ymmmm...

Submitted by bettygroup on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:50.

Looks dangerous!!!

sweeeeet

Submitted by jfilogomo on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:45.

It's heaven for those of us with a sweet tooth!!!

MMMM

Submitted by samrep4@yahoo.com on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:43.

Love this promotion, and can't wait to hear about all of the other delicious treats in Denver!

Yum

Submitted by rachelconn on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:40.

Can't wait to try!

Sounds great

Submitted by artflew on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:34.

Will have to stop in the next time I'm near by.

 

Omg love!!

Submitted by enava422 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:33.

Perfect Christmas time treat stop! 

Congress Park eateries

Submitted by Barb Ormsby on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:31.

Congress Park rocks!! Starting to smell really good over there with all these great things starting up.

The Baum Cake!

Submitted by 5280 Mile Higher on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:30.

Can I get a large glass of milk too?!  Sounds delicous!  Can't wait to try it!

Love Cake!

Submitted by katsim on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:29.

I saw this type of cake on Food Network.  So excited to try it!

new breweries in CO

Submitted by gillian20032 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:27.
I am so happy to see more and more new small craft breweries opening up in Colorado.

Yum

Submitted by Mattanddaisy on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:27.

Sounds fabulous. Will definitely try it! I hope they get on the menu at Sushi Den and Izakaya.  Two of my favorite places to eat.

Gotta try it

Submitted by kellykoberg on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:26.

Looks like a must try, sounds like something fun to try!

 

Lovable layers

Submitted by Clpayne on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:26.
A firey crimson oven cooking up pillowy layers of delicate cake served with a hot cup of java sounds delectible. Heather's bakery sounds like the sweet place to start our mornings. And hopefully we can finish the night with a date on Linger's rooftop.

Cake!

Submitted by shadow23x on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:24.

Spiffy.

Looks like I'm off my diet now

Submitted by Kunks2 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:24.

This is too good to pass up...I'm coming in.

Now I am hungry!

Submitted by Erlenstar on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:24.
I always have liked the diversity of eateries in Denver!

20 Days of Giveaways...Linger!

Submitted by jnprinster on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:23.

Want to try this place so bad! It looks just amazing and if the food is as good as the view, well, then I have no doubt it will be an awesome experience!

This sounds heavenly and like

Submitted by kristindhiggins on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:23.

This sounds heavenly and like a must-try. The symbolism behind them is very cool! Can't wait for the opening!!

will definitely try a new pastry shop!

Submitted by sabrina5by5 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:22.

Can't wait for it to open...sounds yummy!

Tree cakes

Submitted by kursten on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:22.

Those tree cakes look awesome!  I will definitely check this place out when it opens!  Very cool idea!

Lovely!

Submitted by jessicac on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:22.

Wow, sounds like a gyro-inspired pastry?! ;)  Seriously, I love Japanese baked goods. I used to go to a Japanese bakery in NYC all the time. Their croissants were incredible -much better than any French croissants I've tried. Now that I'm in Denver, I'll definitely be stopping by Glaze for a taste of Baum Cake.

sounds yummy!

Submitted by cdub on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:21.

can't wait!

Glaze On!

Submitted by sharonledwards on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:21.

Can't wait to try them.  Hopefully they won't be addicting!

YES!

Submitted by kimmiann1202 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:20.

I'm so pumped for this place to open!

Very excited!

Submitted by Jaybird303 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:20.

This place sounds delicious!  I'll definitely check it out when it opens.

Baum Cake

Submitted by Jamie on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:18.
Looking forward to trying it.

The trend continues

Submitted by Asanville on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:16.

Of making me hungry daily. 

Can't Wait

Submitted by Ljohnson on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:16.
Still looking for an awesome bakery in Denver...can't wait to try this!

Hurry up and open!

Submitted by heyakatrina on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:15.

Super pumped to try this new shop! I heart doughnuts!

 

 

Just in time for the holidays

Submitted by bsajiremm on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:14.

Wishing all the best to Glaze and the team... because then, we all can benefit!  Yum!

Red Dragon!

Submitted by ebassity on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:14.

Can't wait to taste the baumkuchen that comes out of it!

Baum drop

Submitted by ekstrahand on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:13.

Can't wait, love to try new yummies. Thanksgiving and the coming Holidays will be reason for indulgence.

Linger over Baumkuchen

Submitted by J Sherman on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:12.

Both look terrific!  Linger for dinner and Baum cakes at Glaze for afters.  Perfect evening!

SWEETness

Submitted by nikkic44 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:11.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Sweet Treats!! So excited this new cake shop!

baums are da bomb!

Submitted by berkeley.sara on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:11.

I've never even heard of these tasety treats but i'm interested in trying them this winter.

Making me hungry!!

Submitted by matherbs on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:11.

Sounds yum! Thank you!

Linger

Submitted by egourdie on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:10.

I would LOVE to " Linger" at Linger!

Glaze making me glaze over!

Submitted by m_magoo15 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:10.

Can't wait to take my first delicious bite!

Sounds cool

Submitted by conative66 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:10.

This was interesting to read about. I enjoyed learning about this.

yum...

Submitted by madfabriholic on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:09.

looks delicious!

Yum

Submitted by jodilynstuart on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:09.

Oooh, I cannot wait! Just in time for baggy clothes, too.

BaumWhat?!

Submitted by jjboulder on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:09.

I've been so stuck on Dbar I haven't made the effort to check out other dessert/bakery places. I'm putting this on my must-eat list now!

can't wait!

Submitted by mlle.shannon on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:09.

can't wait!

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