Lapis Legit Spekkoek - Indonesian Thousand Layers Cake

5 from 1 vote

Indonesian Layer Cake or Lapis Legit is a very popular Indonesian cake that has around 20-40 thin layers of rich, moist, and buttery cake.

Prep Time20

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 30

Course: Cake, Dessert, Desserts

Cuisine: Asian, Indonesian

Servings: slices

Calories: 137kcal

Author: Claudia

Prepare a 4-inch square pan. Grease and line it with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix the butter until softened. Sift in the powdered sugar to avoid lumps. Stir with a spatula first so the sugar doesn’t scatter, then mix on medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla extract and salt.
Add condensed milk and beat until the mixture looks pale and light. Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C). In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks until the batter is thick and leaves a trail when lifted.
Sift flour, milk powder, and spekkoek powder into the egg yolk mixture. Fold gently with a spatula, then add the butter mixture in batches. Mix until fully combined. For a 4-inch pan, measure about 25–30 g of batter per layer, roughly 25% of the total pan area.
Spread the first layer evenly with the back of a spoon. Bake with lower heat for 2–4 minutes. Switch to upper heat only and bake another 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Remove the pan and press lightly with an aluminum presser. Add the next layer, spread evenly, and continue baking each layer with upper heat until golden.
Continue layering and baking until all the batter is used. The top should be evenly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before gently taking it out of the pan. Trim the sides thinly to reveal the beautiful layers. Slice as you like and enjoy!

Deflate bubbles early - If you see air bubbles forming, pop them with a toothpick and press lightly with an iron plate or cake presser to keep the layers smooth.
Brush each layer with butter: For extra moistness and aroma, lightly brush each freshly baked layer with melted butter before adding the next one.
Never leave the oven unattended - Each layer bakes in just a few minutes. Set a timer and stay close, the difference between golden and burnt happens fast!
Use the right oven: Avoid using an oven deck. A standing or confectionery oven with visible top heat gives the best control. In Indonesia, special Lapis Legit ovens even come with drawers, making layering and baking easier.
Weigh each layer: For consistent results, weigh your batter for every layer (about 25–30 g for a 4-inch pan).
Press gently between layers: Lightly pressing keeps the surface flat and helps new layers adhere perfectly.