Easter Lamb Cake

Easter lamb cake (known as agnuszek or baranek wielkanocny in Polish) is a traditional Eastern European dessert. Every year during my childhood, we looked forward to Mom making the traditional Easter Lamb cake.  The cast iron mold was a cherished gift from her mother.  I knew, being one of 5 children, that I probably wasn’t the one who would inherit the lamb cake mold, so I purchased mine online several years ago on eBay.

The mold came in the original box and was made by Griswold Mfg. Co. from Sidney, Ohio. The price tag is still on the box~~~original price was $4.95 marked down to $3.95!!

In previous years I experimented with cake batter made from scratch and boxed cake mix, but this year I decided to make the recipe that came with the mold, which I believe to be from the 1920s.  Pound cake or firmer cakes seem to work best.

Season the mold by greasing it and then baking it for 20 minutes on 375 degrees.  Excess melted shortening can easily pour out (be care of the temperature) and then let the mold cool.

Once mold is cool, re-apply shortening and flour. You want to make sure the cake will not stick after baking. I make the batter according to the recipe, and put it in the face side of the mold first. In order to make sure the ears don’t break off, I put a toothpick (or shortened wooden skewer) between the ears.

Adding a toothpick or skewer helps support the ears

With the leftover batter, I make a small bundt cake.  After I put the back side of the mold on top of the front side, I bake the mold face down on a baking sheet for 25 minutes and then turn the mold over for the last 20 minutes in the oven.

For the frosting, I make a Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream from Tessa Huff’s cookbook, Layered. 

After frosting, coat the lamb with coconut, making the eyes and nose with Jelly Belly jellybeans.

Here’s the finished product!!! Isn’t he sweet? I am so happy that I can create this tradition for my family while bringing back fond memories of my own childhood.

A Polish family tradition
Jelly bean eyes and nose
A ribbon and pretty bed make the lamb extra special

I have purchased 3 lamb cakes molds over time that I will give to my children with hopes that they will continue this tradition when they have their own families. If you are looking for original lamb cake molds, try eBay or Etsy. The Griswold cast iron ones are the best. There are several newer aluminum ones, but the cake isn’t as detailed.

Have a blessed Easter Sunday!