Tuesday, March 17, 2009

TWD: It's a twofer!



French Yogurt Cake with Marmalade Glaze...



...is this week's TWD recipe. Dorie describes it as a cross between pound cake and sponge cake. I knew I was going to like it instantly. One of my favorite childhood memories is winning a pound cake in a cake walk at our school fair when I was seven. Between the excitement of winning, the anticipation of getting home to taste my prize and the simple, sweet flavor, well, I've been a pound cake lover ever since.



This cake is simplicity at its best. All you need is two bowls, a loaf pan, a whisk and a spatula. Oh and measuring cups. It's made with plain yogurt and canola oil, which makes for a very moist cake. I added some ground almonds which is optional. I like the added texture it created. And my top crust was a little crispy making a nice contrast to the moistness of the cake.

The recipe calls for a lemon marmalade glaze. I know I would love this, if only I could find lemon marmalade. I went to a specialty food store, but no luck. So instead I bought a French Pear Fruit Spread. Not the same thing, I know, but it sounded interesting and it was french, imported from France. It was good, but I know being the lemon cake lover that I am, I would prefer lemon. So the next time I make this (and there will be a next time!), I'll make a simple lemon glaze with powdered sugar and lemon juice. At least until I stumble upon some lemon marmalade. The cake would also be delicious with raspberry sauce drizzled over it just before serving and whipped cream. Yum!




Thanks to Liliana of My Cookbook Addiction for choosing this week's recipe. You can find the recipe on her blog and of course in the baking bible from which it came.

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I've been MIA the past few weeks due to internet connection problems and travelling. But I'm back and eager to get back to the baking!

The day I started having problems with my internet connection was the day I was going to post about the Devil's Food White Out Cake. I made it, I just didn't get to post about it in time.



This was another delicious cake. I was a little worried about it because one of the other baker's had referred to the frosting as a meringue, which I don't care for. But I found it to be more of a marshmallow-y frosting. All of my life I have disliked marshmallows, until my recent discovery that I like homemade marshmallows, but not store-bought. What can I say? I guess I have refined tastebuds.



I loved the combination of the light, marshmallow-y frosting pared with the rich, devil's food cake. When I first saw the picture of the cake in the book, I thought it was covered by oreo cookies or crushed chocolate wafers, but it was a layer of the cake crumbled! Genius.


I owe thanks to Stephanie of Confessions of a City Eater for choosing this recipe, and of course, Dorie for creating it.

Next week's recipe: Blueberry Crumb Cake!

17 comments:

Teanna DiMicco said...

Two great cakes and two big successes!

Unknown said...

Great job! Both of your cakes look wonderful! Glad you enjoyed them :)

TeaLady said...

Great job on both cakes. I couldn't find any lemon marmalade either, so I made my own. Always fun.

Pamela said...

Wow! You did such a great job on both cakes! The White Out cake really looks fabulous.

Jessica said...

Your cakes look beautiful, I loved both of the cakes as well. I am so intrigued by the French pear fruit spread, it's sounds delicious!

Flourchild said...

Wow two cakes..you did good. I thought both of them were great.

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

I think the lemon yogurt cake would be good with any jelly/jam/marmalade on top. It's good on its own too!

Babette said...

I even love pan you made the loaf in...pretty! Fun with both cakes...

Nancy/n.o.e said...

I love your story about the school fair. Food memories are so often bound up in the events around them!

These were both great recipes, and your cakes look delicious. I've seen lemon marmalade (and lime marmalade) in the British food section (not the jam section) of Whole Foods, if you have one of those nearby.

Your whiteout cake looks adorable on that spotty plate - so thematic! I could take or leave fresh storebought marshmallows, but I really like them when they get stale and chewy. I've never had homemade. But I did like this frosting - sooo good with the devil's food.

Nancy

dharmagirl said...

your cakes look wonderful! i have that same loaf pan, and it worked perfectly for this cake, didn't it?!?

farah said...

Gosh, your white out cake and yogurt cake look delicious!

AmyRuth said...

You have certainly made up for lost time and I'm sure those who have enjoyed your efforts are friends for life. he he I loved the French Yogurt cake too. Its one of those childhood memory repeats for sure. So homey. I'm glad you liked the both of them. Thanks for stopping by for a visit to my little blog.
AmyRuth

margot said...

Both your cakes look fantastic; I'm glad you enjoyed them and are back to baking! I did find lemon marmalade, but I almost wish I hadn't since I've seen so many creative toppings. Thanks for stopping by my blog (my dog is a Weimaraner).

Kayte said...

Wow...two in one week...you're a star! I love the golden delicious glow of that yogurt cake...and the pear fruit spread sounds very good if you can't find lemon! Very lovely baking dish for that loaf also. Such fun to bake in such a beautiful vessel! Okay, I am not a chocolate fan, as everyone knows by now, but I have to say that your second cake looks very professional and I am sure it was a big hit...as was mine, the guys devoured it in no time! Thanks for stopping by my blog...I get so lost as who is where that I often just comment on whoever comments on mine...I am so glad you commented on mine as I really enjoyed seeing your lovely creations. Can't wait to see what you do with the blueberry cake this week.

Liliana said...

Your two cakes turned out amazing!
I am glad you liked the French Yogurt Cake. I couldn't find any lemon marmalade either so I went with the orange. Thanks for stopping by!

natalia said...

Ciao ! well done !!You made a great job on both !!

NaTy said...

I love the name of your blog!
The French Pear Fruit Spread sure sounds delish to me :)