Mazurek

Mazurek, also referred to in English as mazurka, is a well-known Polish cake that has been made for centuries in Poland and now widely throughout the world in Polish communities, particularly in the United States. Although the origins of mazurek are not known, it is posited that it may have been inspired by desserts from Turkey that were brought to Poland through trade during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Mazurek is associated with Easter, and all mazurki share a distinctive flatness, usually of less than one inch tall. However, aside from these stable factors of height and holiday association, there is an astonishing diversity among mazurki, as they vary widely in terms of the base of the cake, the toppings, and how the cakes are decorated. Additionally, although mazurek is traditionally eaten around Easter time, it is also prepared for other winter holidays and today as a year-round dessert, breakfast food, or snack.