At every wintertime festival in Budapest, Hungarian “kürtőskalács” is an iconic treat – a special type of chimney cake often baked over an open fire and sprinkled with all sorts of sweet toppings. Although we’re eagerly looking forward to the summer months, the return of warm weather usually means that kürtőskalács cakes disappear until autumn – but this spring, an innovative wooden stand started appearing at Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park, offering the classic Hungarian treat filled with ice cream and whipped cream like a cone. Our summertime dreaming has apparently already started...

So far, we can encounter the patent-protected Töltött Kürtős (“Stuffed Chimney”) only at cultural and gastronomic festivals, but soon they will have a permanent stand at Fröccsterasz in Erzsébet Square, as well.

According to this Yelp page, a Prague-based place already overwhelmed locals by stuffing chimney cake with ice cream, when the unique treat first hit the Hungarian scene about half a year ago. This 15-centimeter version costs 890 forints and comes with a small plastic spoon – which is a rather helpful addition, since the consumption of this delicacy is guaranteed to soil our shirt and dignity. It’s hardly surprising that filled chimney cake is considered more of an “all-night dessert” than a light snack.

The whipped-cream-filled chimney cake is somewhat easier to consume – at least the one with banana and chocolate syrup is less sweet than the one with vanilla ice cream and strawberry syrup. There are more versions, namely apple-cinnamon and Nutella-whipped cream, offered for a hundred forints less than the ice-cream-filled chimney cake.

However, adding creamy delights to kürtőskalács is only the beginning for Töltött Kürtős.

Until now, it seemed absurd to eat chimney cake for lunch, but thanks to the stand’s unique savory kürtőskalácsvariations, this dream can come true, as well. Adjusting to Hungarian tastes, we can choose from salami and cheese or ham and cheese versions, while vegetarians can munch on mozzarella and pesto-stuffed chimney cake for a “light” lunch (also 790 HUF). But fear not – classic chimney cake is also available at Töltött Kürtős, for 490 forints.

So, keep an eye open for Töltött Kürtős next time that you’re passing through Erzsébet Square, or are strolling around in City Park – who knows what new revolutionary kürtőskalács breakthroughs they will come up with next?