Try serving something called “butter cake” in New York or Los Angeles, and you’d be exiled. But in Philadelphia? Pass another piece this way, friend.
Legend has it that a German-American baker invented this ridiculously rich treat after mixing up the proportions of butter and flour, a mistake that Philly was all too happy to forgive. These days you can find the decadent dessert—essentially a thin layer of sponge cake covered in sugary, buttery goo—at enlightened bakeries across the city, including Port Richmond mainstay Stock’s (2614 E Lehigh Ave) and Fishtown darling Whipped (636 Belgrade St).
That said, if you want the real deal, a trip to the great Northeast is in order. There’s a reason everyone is wearing sweatpants in Mayfair—and it sure as hell ain’t the gym.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bakeries Philadelphia has to offer