I fully intended to make the Groom's Cake for our finale, but then Evil Cake Lady posted a Wedding Cake Roundup. It was inspiring and I took another look at Rose's chapter on wedding cakes. The Tropical Wedding Cake beckoned. Maybe it's the shock of freezing temperatures that settled in California. Besides, my daughter is now engaged and it seems fitting to wait to make the Groom's Cake for the future groom. Whatever the siren call, I unearthed frozen, blackened bananas from the depths of my freezer and stirred up this delectable cake. It's quite a simple recipe really. The hint of lemon from the zest lingers behind that of the banana. Cashews were substituted for macadamia nuts only because the grocery store did not have any at the moment. There was also a batch of leftover buttercream frosting from a recent cupcake marathon and I used that as well. It's a lovely, light banana cake that I will make again with Rose's use of passion fruit and mousseline frosting.
When I announced this was the last dessert there was dismay and cries of woe. The next question was "Isn't Rose doing another book of cakes that you can bake with again? You've gotten to be such a good baker. You can't stop now!" And really, that is high praise for Rose Levy Berenbaum. Without one lesson in person, she took a very inept, amateur baker, and allowed me to make unbelievable cakes. It was the best course in baking. Weighing ingredients, cake strips, accurate oven temperature and an instant read thermometer have permanently changed my errant baking ways.
It's been more fun than I could ever imagine baking along with the Heavenly Cake Bakers. I've looked forward to everyone's cakes. more than I have my own, and loved hearing about your lives. We are such a varied group geographically and culturally yet Rose cut through the barriers with sugar, butter and flour. I thank all of you for your encouragement and comments.
Top of my Christmas List is a new Rose's Heavenly Cakes book.
A fresh packet of cake strips.
And maybe an elf to wash a dish or two.
Top of my Christmas List is a new Rose's Heavenly Cakes book.
A fresh packet of cake strips.
And maybe an elf to wash a dish or two.
Hey, my comment went 'missing'..strange! I said earlier that your tropical wedding cake looks delicious! I too have been feeling lost every weekend as to what to bake. Plus now that Marie is no longer leading the team, i too have fallen off the baking wagon. LOL! I read that Rose's new book will be out only in 2015, so it will be quite a while before we get baking together again! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, post, Vicki; you've said it so well!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Vicki and CONGRATS for being done. I agree with Lois that you've said it so well! It has been an awesome journey, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYour tropical wedding cake looks fab. I love seeing the vanilla seeds on the layers.
Vicki, it is so nice to see you post. Your tropical wedding cake looks delicious. I hope you keep baking and posting!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Vicki--you can't stop baking now!
ReplyDeleteVicki, your banana cake looks so light and fluffy - good job! Wish I had a big piece of it right now to go with my Earl Grey tea!
ReplyDeleteI could have given you my cake strips - had them around for years and never used them! I prefer to just cut off any rounded tops (and EAT them!).
A belated congratulations on finishing! I have been thinking of you as I have a bag of seville' oranges. That orange curd is calling me. Hope you have collected all the local bounty and you are neck deep in curd!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you and yours.
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Nicola