My track record with party cakes has never been the greatest, but hey, I'm always ready to give another one a try. This month for the daring bakers we were challenged to a cake. Easter dinner with family was the perfect occasion. The recipe from Dorie Greenspan's Baking From My Home to Yours.
What I loved about this cake is that following Dorie's basic recipe, using her suggestions with the lemon in the cake, the fruit preserves, and the butter cream, there's a lovely flavor balance. It felt like there was a gauzy light fairy bridge of flavor suspended between each element, tied all together with a nice little bow. I particularly loved the effect of applying coconut to the outside, which gave it a festive and feminine look, a touch of grace after my not so great job of spreading the buttercream.
I have to admit I was feeling rather sorry for myself until the coconut came in. I had trouble getting the cake to rise so I did bake this cake several times and ended up using three flat layers instead of two layers cut in half. The butter cream was quite easy coming together and tasted great. I have never put fruit preserves in cake before, and it was something I will do again. When you are in a rush to finish this cake with guests coming, having a vacuum cleaner within arm's reach at the application of coconut stage is very helpful.
The book itself is a work of art, and having made the trip to the book shop in London when I was there was something I am really thankful I did. It is a gorgeous enormous cookbook containing only baked desserts. 500+ of my fellow daring bakers all did excellent jobs with their cakes - and I salute you!
Thank you, fellow daring bakers, for your kind support in helping me stretch my wings and step outside of my comfort zone. And thank you Dorie, for creating such a beautiful book. I add it lovingly to my small collection of English language baking books.
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