There's this song by The Divine Comedy that has played in my head all month since the Daring Bakers March challenge was posted by our lovely hostess Morven.
Give me your love
And I'll give you the perfect lovesong
With a divine Beatles bassline
And a big old Beach Boys sound
The song goes on (check it out on the right bar if you're curious), very cheesy and full of (beaten) love sentences. After all every love song is suppose to be a bit silly or it's not real love!! But why would I remember that whilst reading the DBs challenge? Because it's the Perfect Party Cake by Dorie Greenspan! So give me your attention and I'll give your the perfect party cake recipe. ;)
My thoughts on the challenge:
- I love individual savoury pies, sweet tarts or little cakes. Even when a bake bread I always end up doing two loafs instead of one or a bunch of buns in place of a loaf... I don't have an explanation for this. It's easier for me to plan 3 dozen tarts than to bake a large cake! So with the excuse that I don't own a couple of large pans that match, I've baked 16 little cakes using my muffin tins.
- What type of flour to use was one of the discussions going on during the month. I used cake flour. The cakes didn't rise a lot but enough to create four-layer individual cakes that turned out lovely.
- I've used a couple of tablespoons of lavender to flavour the sugar I used for the cakes and the buttercream (1/2 recipe), discarded the lemon zest for the cakes and added only half the quantity of lemon juice to the buttercream. I also had the coconut with the lavender for some time before sprinkling the cakes.
- As I assembled the cakes in two different days, first I used chopped strawberries in a light lavender syrup with buttercream and shredded coconut and for the second 'batch', I used strawberry jam and fresh strawberries with whipped cream and mascarpone cheese. Both takes were very nice but I really loved the fresh fruit between the layers.
- I kept the cakes (without filling) in an airtight container for a couple of days.
43 comments:
those are some beautiful little cake-lets!! You did a great job suzana! I love the idea of using lavendar instead of the lemon zest! i bet that gave your cakes an outstanding flavor!
I love the individual cakes! Beautiful!
They look like strawberry shortcakes, which I love! Great Job!
Perfectly adorable little cakes!
The individual cakes look really wonderful. I agree that they remind me of strawberry shortcakes, so lovely.
I look forward to baking this cake again using all the suggestions I've seen. One being your lavender, one being a rose that I saw. And in the mini fashion. Love it!
Fabulous Suzana! Your minis are terrific. Strawberry makes them over the top! Lovely.
Adorable little cakes! Lavender is an interesting idea. I have never baked with it. Lovely job Suzanna!
What perfect little mini-cakes! Gorgeous!
Little cakes - how adorable! I bet the lavender gave it a nice layer of decadence....
woah look at the jam! good job, cute cakes *m
I like what you did with the challenge. It's unique! Good job :)
Those minis with the strawberries are adorable and so enticing!
Perfect!
xoxo
Gabi
I love your little mini cakes and I ADORE the idea of lavender infused little cakes. Well done!!
I'm the opposite- it would have driven me crazy to make so many little cakes, one big one for me!
Yours look amazing though!
Very cute presentation! I love the idea of lavender sugar with the strawberries!
adorable!!! those look so amazing!
aw! I love your mini-cakes Suzana! They look so cute...yummy too! :)
All of the little cakes I have seen are just too cute!
Yours looks delicious.
Your mini cakes look wonderful and pretty! A great idea! Very well done!
Cheers,
Rosa
Cute mini cakes, love everything mini. Nice addition with the lavender!
what a creative idea!!! the individual cakes is brilliant!! your cakes are not only beautiful i bet they taste divine!! i love the idea of adding lavender on this recette :-)
These little cakes are so sweet, and both combinations sound delicious.
Love the individual cakes and the fact you're showing the layers. Looks delicious!
Suzanna, I always love your personal twist on recipes. I much more would have preferred individual cakes than the larger one. If/when I return to this challenge, I'm going to take up your advice on the using the muffin tins. Your cakes look fabulous!
I love you mini-cakes...They are stunning! :)
saí-te muito bem. e a ideia foi maravilhosa de fazer bolinhos pequenos. parabéns. ainda me tenho que registar no daring bakers. :-)
Thank you, Suzana, for visiting my blog! Your little cakes look very nice, and lavender flavored sugar sounds lovely!
Greetings,
Tiina
Wow, looks great. I also prefer small cakes etc.
I love the idea of single-serving layer cakes, they look so cute! Nice work on the challenge. :)
oh these mini versions are to die for !!! lovely creations girl !
Lavender? Brilliant idea! Yummmmm! So pretty!
Those are simply gorgeous little cakes...well done.
I totally agree with you about favoring individual little cakes or creations rather than one hugely beautiful cake. I dunno, something about a tiny handheld goody that makes it even more scrumptious :)
I love the dainty, individual sized treats. They would be perfect for a party, indeed!
The strawberries look amazing!
Scrumdiddlyumptious!
I absolutely *love* the lavender idea - a great twist.
The mini cakes look great!
Those little cakes are so pretty! And those strawberries...yum.
I missed your cake on Sunday! It was my first DB challenge and I got so many comments back that I was overwhelmed and couldn't visit all the other bloggers I wanted to. But your cake looks gorgeous! I like the mini sizes better. I loved the flavor and the texture. Great job!
Nice touch with the lavender! Your little cakes are so pretty!
So cute! Great job!
I love your little tortes. They are beautiful. I think this was the best way to serve this cake, as the frosting was so intensely sweet. Great job!
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
i love strawberry cakes! well, i love all berries :) great choice for this cake; i can't wait to try it w/strawberries
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