Bløtkake

Bløtkake
Nordic Heritage Museum, $4

In honor of the Syttende Mai constitutional holiday, many Norwegians work up an appetite by parading through the streets carrying the national flag, then sit down to a well-deserved slice of bløtkake, the beloved "wet cake" whose patriotic layers of white sponge, whipped cream, and strawberry jam echo two of the Norwegian flag's three colors. 

Cle Elum Bakery

Torchetti
Cle Elum Bakery, $.90/each

Founded in 1906, the Cle Elum Bakery still relies on its original brick bread oven and several of the recipes the original brought with him when he came over from Italy.  Among these, the popular torchetti cookie:  "Italian Pastry made with Butter, Yeast, and Spices.  Enjoy with Coffee, Tea or dipped in Red Wine."

The Osmanovich family bought the bakery in 1947 and it is still run by their descendants.  They were probably responsible for introducing the "divinity" cookie ($.75/each), a meltaway cloud of shortening, powdered sugar, and nuts similar to cookies found in Russia, Greece, and Mexico.  

Cle Elum Bakery 
501 E 1st St 
Cle Elum, WA
509/674-2233