Tuesday, April 13, 2010

TWD - Swedish Visiting Cake


I predict that unprecedented numbers of Tuesdays with Dorie bakers will make this one. Why?
  1. It's easy
  2. It uses ingredients you already have in your pantry
  3. It was selected by Nancy at The Dogs Eat the Crumbs
I know I'm not the only blogger who finds Nancy's recipe insights (her n.o.e.'s notes) as valuable as the recipe itself. Nancy has saved me from making mistakes, given me ideas for flavor combinations and inspired me to make substitutions I wouldn't have dared to make. She encouraged me to join the Slow & Steady Subgroup of the Bread Baker's Apprentice challenge and thereby opened the door to my embracing and exploring yeast breads. She urged me to cook from my copy of Ad Hoc at Home, rather than keeping it on a shelf, by telling me how many recipes she's made and that Keller himself encouraged cooks to take the book into the kitchen and get it dirty.

So if Nancy had chosen a recipe that got every bowl, pan, whisk, spatula, and food processor attachment dirty and took three days to complete, I would have made it. But she chose a simple but flavorful cake that was a snap to prepare and had no leavening, enabling our bakers who observe Passover to make this and serve it at their Seders. That is so like Nancy, to always think about others and find ways to include them.

As I said, this recipe came together easily and fit nicely into my 9" cast iron skillet, which I buttered as though my life depended on it. I used a huge lemon off of my tree, and it fragranced the cake beautifully. This was a huge hit at work, though too small for all the 60+ people in the office to have a piece.

I will definitely make this one again, and although this recipe lends itself to many flavor combinations (like grapefruit, orange, lime, mocha, chai), my next version will substitute the scrapings from a vanilla bean and vanilla sugar. See, Nancy was the one who gave me the idea to make vanilla sugar. It seems fitting, doesn't it?

If you'd like to see what the other TWD bakers thought of this one, you'll find them all here. And if you want to give this easy, delicious cake a spin, Nancy will have the recipe here.

31 comments:

Susan said...

This was a fabulous cake, wasn't it? I loved how easy it was to make and how delicious it was to eat! :D Yours looks beautiful on that gorgeous plate!

I left something for you on my blog. :)

Cristine said...

This cake was fantastic! Yours looks great!

Mary Ann said...

I feel the same way. No matter what Nancy picked, I would have made it. This was a fabulous choice! Yours looks great.

Mary said...

What a nice post, and so true! This cake was fabulous, and your picture is great!

Bella Baker said...

I love your photo! The cake looks beautiful and I agree that this week is sure to have a ton of participation! This cake was so easy to make and everyone seemed to love it!

Unknown said...

I would also have made whatever Nancy picked, but I am SO grateful it was an easy recipe :) Your cake looks wonderful! This one is definitely worth of a repeat around here.

Hindy said...

Your cake turned out beautifully! How about a photo of that lemon tree?

Tia said...

i agree - nancy rocks!!!

vibi said...

It was indeed simple but very flavorful, thanks Nancy.

LOL I have some cook books that are so dirty, I can't take them out when I have friends at home... simply too ashamed. Yet I'm talking about those books I got when I was a kid... but still use.

I'm glad you enjoyed this and will make it again, that makes at least two of us! LOL

Marthe said...

Leslie, your swedish visiting cake is perfect! I really liked this: easy and tasty!

Anonymous said...

You cake slice looks so neat and orderly. You should see my apple slice, so very messy haha!

This cake really makes you appreciate simplicity: an easy delicious cake recipe that comes together in a snap. Its win-win.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Your cake slice picture is pure poetry, Leslie! You are so sweet to say all those nice things about me. The cake was wonderful, but all I can take credit for is picking it out of the book! I'm really glad you baked along with me - I always love cooking and baking with you. It boggles my mind that you can pick lemons off the tree - I'm never sure if I have them on hand in the fridge. Your vanilla sugar variations sounds delicious; let me know if you make it.

Flourchild said...

Your cake looks tasty! Im glad you enjoyed the recipe as much as I did. It was so simple to make and the outcome was so good! I swear the cake lasted one hour in my house!

Katrina said...

Ditto everything you said about Nancy. Certainly a great pick that I probably never would have made, but will now make many, many times! Your photo is great, as always.

Hanaâ said...

The slice looks beautiful. I think it's really cool that you have a lemon tree!! :o)

With you being a chocoholic, I was surprised you skipped the SMS cake. It's a good one. LOTS of dark chocolate flavor, moist and tender. I made cupcakes! I highly recommend a redo on this one :o)

CB said...

Oh man. As soon as I read "lime" on your flavor index I started brainstorming. Lime would be amazing with this cake. So glad you enjoyed it! I know I did.
-CB
http://iheartfood4thought.com

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I love the way, you plated this. Nice looking cake and delicious.

Julie said...

This looks so delicious! Love your photos.

margot said...

Your cake looks lovely. I loved this one too. I can't wait to see your other variations.

Mimi said...

This was an increbile cake. Everything Dorie promised. Yours looks perfect.
Mimi

dharmagirl said...

i agree with everything you say here, leslie, from the wonderfulness of this cake to nancy's kindness:) what a fun baking week!

Dimah said...

This cake looks absolutely amazing!

Dimah
http://orangeblossomwater.net

alvarosa said...

I am not completely through the list, but I guess it's not only that many, many TWD-ers made this cake (and will - even the ones who missed this week will possibly do it due to the great references we all gave this cake!). But up to now I found not a single one not falling in love with the taste and the easy procedure! (and I am no exception...)

Pamela said...

Great post! The cake was a fantastic winner and I loved it! It was really nice of you to share this one!

Jessica said...

It was so nice of you to share this cake. I'll admit, it didn't get past my kitchen because I devoured it! What a great post!

TeaLady said...

Yes, this was awfully easy and yes, lots/lots of bakers made it.

I added a little extra almond and it was just perfect.

Definitely a keeper. Have to make it 4 or 5 more times. Soon!!!

Liz said...

Not only did lots of people make it, but I have yet to find someone who didn't love it! It's definitely in my top 5.

The Domestic Adventurer said...

This cake looks great!

I also just heard Emeril on Food Network mention vanilla sugar and I thought I would make some for my morning coffee.

Kayte said...

LOL, you are so right about Nancy...she is definitely the leader of the pack over on our Twitter bakes, if Nancy is baking it, chances are very high that someone else is jumping in on the action! Your cake looks so delicious!

Diana's Cocina said...

What a great photo! I love the simple ingrediants.

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

I had the same problem with this not being big enough for the people at work. :) I agree that I would have baked anything Nancy chose as well!