The unusual Lithuanian "Tree cake" (Šakotis)

Since Christmas is around the corner, let me introduce you to the cake that only melts in your mouth but also can be an unusual but beautiful centerpiece of your festive table.

Have you ever heard of the Lithuanian "Tree cake"?
Šakotis - the original name of the cake. It can be roughly translated in to "branched tree" or simplified -"Tree cake". Back in the days, it used to be (it still is in some parts of the country) one of the most important desserts in Lithuanian celebrations, gatherings or special occasions.

While the ingredients are pretty common like plenty of eggs and four, a generous amount of butter, sugar and sour cream (the exact quantities and little tricks are kept as secret) the way of making it is rather interesting.
It is baked by slowly adding layers of dough onto a rotating spit in a special open oven or more traditionally - over the open fire.

This complex process is necessary to form a distinctive shape. It is often has a shape of a cone and does resemble a pine tree with the drips as branches. I have witnessed baking process only once, during some small town festival and I must say, it does look pretty impressive. Though surprisingly it takes just about an hour to make one once the dough is ready.
It can be decorated with sugary ornaments or chocolate, but due to already very pleasant and mild taste (that goes very well with milk or any type of hot beverage), it is often eaten plain.

Due to the delightful taste, distinctive look and generous expiration date, this cake is a very common gift to the foreigners (all my friend had a taste of it too :) and it is usually chosen as something to represent Lithuania in various events abroad.

The history of this cake reaches the beginning of XX century when monks began to bake it in the monasteries.
Various alternatives to this cake also can be found in Latvia, Hungary, Belarus, Poland and even Japan!

To my surprise, when my French friends acknowledged this cake as the most desirable gift, I've started looking around and found out that a sort of the "Gateau à la broche" ("Tree cake" in French) can be also found in France's Hautes-Pyrenees region. Apparently, it is thought that Napoleon soldiers retreating from the battle through Lithuania have picked it up and brought the recipe back to France. It pleased me a little to find something so simple and well known in here, keeping in mind the exquisite sweets' traditions that France has, so I thought to myself - even if some of the French people approves it, it must be worth something :)

Let me know if you have ever seen or tasted one too. How did you like it? Do you have something similar in your country? I am really curious to hear were else this recipe has "migrated".