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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

Excited for Glaze!

Submitted by kautumnjones on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:08.

These look amazing! I will have to make a trip to Glaze as soon as it opens! 

heck yeah

Submitted by hollywsprague on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:07.

YUM!

heck yeah

Submitted by hollywsprague on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:06.

yum yum yum

Yum!

Submitted by bethcos on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:05.

Sounds amazing (and also very dangerous to the diet!)

The Adventures of the Red Dragon

Submitted by hellis on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:05.

Cannot wait to try the tasty creations at Glaze!  Hopefully, the Red Dragon has a good trip and settles into his new home without too much difficulty!

wow, sounds like an amazing

Submitted by fchorg on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:05.

wow, sounds like an amazing all-around culinary experience. love all the culture involved!

 

Thanks

Submitted by glitter76289 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:05.

Wow! How neat! Thanks for the enlightening post

OK, yes.

Submitted by drawnrake on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:05.

I'm in. Looks delicious, and interesting.

Yes!

Submitted by PrairieElk on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:04.

I grew up on these little gems - they are delicious!

Delish!

Submitted by denverbritt on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:04.

Sounds amazing - and completely obsessed with the name!! Can't wait to try it!!

Good bakeries in Denver are hard to come by

Submitted by chadcmartin on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:04.

Maybe it's the altitude, but I feel that it's pretty difficult to bake in Denver, and even more difficult to find a good bakery.  Will definitely have to check this place out!

desserts

Submitted by jthamer on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:04.

look delicious!

burger

Submitted by dsg576 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

can't wait to try the new TAG burger joint.  I love the original TAG restaurant in Larimer.

Glaze

Submitted by tasharaedesigns on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

Love it when new ideas come to Denver. Can't wait to check it out! Good luck Glaze!

forward looking statements

Submitted by manivelle on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

wait 'n see

Sounds Amazing!

Submitted by Lynelle.Smith13 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

I am definitely going to check this place out!!

Linger - Yes please.

Submitted by GrimMoose on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

This sounds awesome... can't wait to try it...

Yum. 

Submitted by ColoBoxer on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:03.

Yum.

 

Sounds Delicious!

Submitted by juliayugel on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:02.

I love that the kitchen will be viewable for customers to watch. I think that's a really great element that will help set this bakery apart (besides the very specific cakes they're selling).

Baum Cake

Submitted by hellis on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:02.

Ok, yum!  And just in time for the holidays, delish!  Can't wait to try it!

 

Yum!

Submitted by jennataffet on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:02.

Can't believe Denver will house the only one of these ovens, that's very cool!

Also slightly sad to hear about the change at Madison Street because I think it's a great neighborhood spot. But I do love TAG and burgers, so sure to be an equally impressive and delicious spot! 

sounds like the baum!

Submitted by collinsd07 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:02.
I want to go to there.

Ticker tape parade

Submitted by dburke22 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:01.

Will Denverites line Pena Blvd when this oven arrives at DIA?

NICE!

Submitted by jvkersey on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:01.

Looks like the perfect start to another amazing weekend in Colorado!

Heaven

Submitted by emirh05 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:01.

I might just move in.

Treats!!

Submitted by amberrt on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:01.

Good luck Heather this sounds like a great endeavor.  Hope to get to stop by one day.

Yum!

Submitted by emirh05 on Fri, 2012-10-12 11:00.

This place sounds amazing! Cant wait.

Yum

Submitted by msdouglas on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:59.

Love it! 

Can't wait!

Submitted by mortonps on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:59.
Looking forward to the opening; it will be the perfect holiday treat!

oh my!!!!!

Submitted by kjlancaster on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:59.

this sound delicious....cant wait to get a sugar high!  YUM

 

Madison Street

Submitted by cmegyesy on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:59.

Love that couple block stretch there! Great restaurants and shops! Glaze is a welcome addition.

Oh MY that looks good!

Submitted by pvtalley on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:59.

Are these anything like the hollow yumminess they have at the street festivals around town? The tall hollow pastries rolled in crushed walnuts and other things? This bakery sounds really neat!

whoa!

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

Yummmm, can't wait! I'll ride around the block a couple of extra times to make up for it ;)

linger

Submitted by lizz84 on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:58.

Sounds like a lot of fun!

Great option

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

Would like to try!

Glaze

Submitted by jgarrett83 on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:58.

Sounds good to me!

YUMMY

Submitted by JPeters34 on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:58.

 

Yummy yummy in my tummy!

Oh Yeah

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

I. love. doughnuts.

Good grub in the city...

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

After living in Germany for 5 years I can't wait to taste authentic baumkuchen in Denver!

...after dinner at Linger?

New Bakery

Submitted by kathy on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:57.
A new bakery is always a good idea! Can't wait to try the Baum cake!

Mouth watering...

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

gonna have to check out Glaze!!

Yes, please!

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

I'll have to plan my workouts to account for the extra calories I'll be consuming at Glaze. Love the name, by the way!

Sugar High

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

Can't wait to Linger.

Cool !!

Submitted by robertkun on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:56.

Just around the corner from my office !!

TAG Burger too !!

 

 

Both of these sounds amazing!

Submitted by julieanne113 on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:55.

Both of these sounds amazing!

donuts

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

No town can have too many donuts.

Sugar!

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

Hope the alittitude doesn't cause too much trouble!

Yum!

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

Quite an interesting history...

The "Bomb" Cake!

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

Wow!  A new cake, Baum cake, that I have never tried.  Can't wait for Glaze to open!

Read the post script!

Submitted by elim101 on Fri, 2012-10-12 10:55.

Wow.  Thanks for the news on Madison Street Grill.  I'm looking forward to it!

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