Dessert · Snack · Eastern European ·

Zesty Hungarian Chimney Cake with Vanilla Sugar

Name: Zesty Hungarian Chimney Cake with Vanilla Sugar
Prep time: 75 min
Cook time: 225 min
Total time: 300 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast; ¼ cup sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 egg yolks; ½ cup milk, warm; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; Zest of 1 orange; 1 empty canister or rolling pin; Parchment paper; String or rubber bands

Delight in the aroma of freshly baked chimney cake with a hint of zest and a sweet vanilla finish.

4.3(170 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 12, 2025

Zesty Hungarian Chimney Cake with Vanilla Sugar — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 15 min

Cook

3 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough

For the Vanilla Sugar Coating

For the Spit (if needed)

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 470 kcal
Protein: 10.17 g
Carbs: 100 g
Fat: 3.17 g
Fiber: 2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2820 kcal
Protein: 61 g
Carbs: 600 g
Fat: 19 g
Fiber: 12 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour	1600	48	336	5	12
1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast	21	3	2	0	0
¼ cup sugar	194	0	50	0	0
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 egg yolks	110	6	1	10	0
½ cup milk, warm	75	4	6	4	0
Zest of 1 lemon	3	0	1	0	0
1 cup sugar	774	0	200	0	0
1 tablespoon vanilla extract	37	0	2	0	0
Zest of 1 orange	6	0	2	0	0
1 empty canister or rolling pin	0	0	0	0	0
Parchment paper	0	0	0	0	0
String or rubber bands	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

1
Dissolve Yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it stand until frothy, about 10 minutes.
2
Mix Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add egg yolks, lemon zest, and the yeast mixture.
3
Knead and Rise
Knead until a smooth dough forms, then cover and let it rise for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Tip: Ensure the dough is smooth and elastic before setting it to rise.

Preparing the Vanilla Sugar

1
Combine Ingredients
Combine sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest in a medium bowl.
2
Mix Well
Mix well until the vanilla is evenly distributed.

How to Make Zesty Hungarian Chimney Cake with Vanilla Sugar

Total time: 5 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Roll Out the Dough
Roll the dough into a long, thin rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
2
Cut Strips
Cut dough into 2-inch-wide strips.
3
Wrap and Bake
Wrap strips around the prepared spit; sprinkle with vanilla sugar. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, rotating for even browning.