A Prinsesstårta (Princess Cake) is a traditional Swedish cake consisting of alternating layers of airy sponge cake, whipped cream and thick pastry cream all topped with a 2-3 mm thick layer of marzipan.[1] The marzipan overlay is normally green, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and often decorated with a pink marzipan rose. The original recipe first appeared in the 1930s "Prinsessornas Kokbok" cookbook, which was published by Jenny Åkerström, a teacher of the daughters of Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland. The cake was originally called "Grön tårta" (green cake), but was given the name "prinsesstårta" or "princess cake" because the princesses were said to have been especially fond of the cake.[2]
Variants with other colors of marzipan are often called "prinstårta" (Prince Cake). With a layer of red berry jam this cake is called Operatårta (Opera Cake).