“But there’s always a first time for everything”
Melissa de la Cruz
A chiffon cake is a very light cake made with vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and flavorings. In contrast to butter, the traditional fat used in cake making, it is difficult to beat air into oil, so chiffon cakes, like angel cakes and other foam cakes, achieve a fluffy texture by beating egg whites until stiff, and folding them into the cake batter before baking.
It was a new cake experience, a learning curve thrown in too. I baked 2 three egg chiffons. The first was fabulous, and I took a shortcut on the second one. I knew that I should have scrubbed the beaters clean for any traces of yolk, or the whites would misbehave. Didn’t heed the inner warning, and rinsed them in a hurry. Learnt my lesson. Once the yolk batter was ready, the whites in the second chiffon were going nowhere. Uff…bunged them in, and baked a flattish cake, still soft, but not as chiffony as it should have been.
Patricia, I am SO GLAD I baked this cake, and your commentary on the cake is what had me sold! It’s a fabulous change from chocolate and coffee, and I’m glad I was forced to leave my comfort zone! In Patricia’s words, “Now this combo can go straight to the all time favorites list, with apples + cinnamon and chocolate + hazelnuts. 🙂” … I so agree!
Lavender Chiffon Cake with Whipped Lemon Curd Frosting
adapted minimally from Technicolour Kitchen
Serves 12-16
Lavender Chiffon Sponge
6 eggs, separated
¼ cup neutral vegetable oil
6 tbsp water
1 ½ cups caster sugar
1 ½ teaspoons dried edible lavender buds
1 1/3 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line the bottoms of two 20cm (8in) round cake pans with baking paper; do not grease.
Place 1 cup of the sugar in a food processor, add the lavender buds and process. Sift into a large bowl, discarding the excess lavender.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, oil and water. Set aside.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the sugar and whisk gently to combine. Add the yolk mixture and whisk to form a smooth batter.
Place the egg whites in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on medium-high speed until frothy. Slowly add the remaining ½ cup (100g) sugar and the cream of tartar and continue to whip until soft, droopy peaks form. Fold ¼ of the beaten egg whites into the batter, taking care not to deflate the mixture. Gently fold in the remaining whites. Divide the batter among the prepared pans.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden and a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow layers to cool completely in the pans. To remove, run a blunt knife around the edges, invert each pan and tap out the cake onto a wire rack. Carefully peel off the paper.
Easy Lemon Curd
From Ju @ Little Teochew
{I used 1/2 the recipe for this cake. Had used the other half earlier in puff pastry lemon tarts}
200g sugar {depending how sweet or tart you like it}
1 egg
3 egg yolks
120ml fresh lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest, or more if you like {depending on how strong you want the flavour of lemon}
50 to 60g unsalted butter {more butter will make it smoother, but at the same time, fattier too … you decide}
Method:
In a large bowl, whisk all the ingredients except the butter*. Mix well. Place the bowl over a bain-marie** (water bath) and stir constantly. The mixture may look curdled, but it will smooth out as it cooks. If you want a more subtle taste of lemon, do not add the zest at this stage. Set aside with the butter.
Once the mixture thickens – it should leave a path on the back of a spoon – turn off the flame and add butter in 2 or 3 additions. If you have not added in your lemon zest, add it in now and stir to mix well.
Allow the curd to cool slightly before transferring to a clean jar or bowl. Make sure it is covered to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator. The curd will thicken further as it cools. Covered tightly, it will keep in the refrigerator for a week and in the freezer for 2 months.
While the cakes are baking and cooling, make the lime curd and chill completely.
Whipped Lemon Curd Cream Frosting
700ml low fat cream
1/2 vanilla bean, scraped
1/2 recipe lemon curd
2-3 tbsps sugar {the lemon curd adds it’s own sweetness too}
Method:
Whip the cream and sugar till firm peaks hold. Gently fold the lemon curd through, about 2/3rd to being with, and taste for sweetness, tartness etc. Add the rest if desired, and add sugar if required.
Lemon Sugar Syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 cup water
Juice of 1 lime.
Method:
Place all ingredients in a pan, bring to a boil, stir until the sugar is dissolved. take off heat, and allow to cool.
To Assemble the Cake
Slice both sponges horizontally to get 4 layers.
Reserve 1/3rd whipped cream for top and sides.
Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate, brush with lemon syrup and spread 1/3rd of the cream for filling.
Repeat with the other 2 layers.
Top with the third cake layer, and frost the top and sides with the remaining cream.
{Mix 1 tsp of lemon curd in any left over cream, and pipe a border etc.}
I finished mine with a border of a firm white chocolate ganache coloured pinkish-purple.♥ Thank you for stopping by ♥
I’m one of the 2 finalists here.
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Also find me on The Rabid Baker, The Times of India
So pretty and with such delicate flavours. You know I’m a sucker for lemon curd. Nice! 😀 Shame on people who don’t like chocolate but then joy for the other interesting cake choices
Ok Deeba, this post just had me in so many ways. First those gorgeous li’l girls! Rn’t they like the most precious gift ever?!
Then that lemon curd which is my ALL time favorite. I can sit and lick a bowl of lemon curd all day long n still would want more! And the last thing that I want is you to teach me how do you make that beautiful design on the sides of your cake. Have seen then in many of your cakes n I thinks its kind of your trademark 🙂
I’d love to try n do something like that.
Ooh this is pretty. I made a lemon curd tart for Thankgiving. Love the combination of flavors, lemon lavendar in a chiffon cake. Chiffon is one of my favorites to have with tea!! Your blog is eye candy:)
Uber stunning cake here Deeba!! Am not much of a lemon person nor tasted lavender so far, but this looks seriously tempting! Chiffon reminds me of chiffon sarees:)). And I also need to find out if companies sell extra sets of beaters, washing then squeaky clean and drying them for the next use is a real pain:-(.
Congrats for being the finalist, Deeba. The cake truly epitomizes the word Chiffon in terms of texture and frosting. Love the lemon flavors in it.
You are so talented Deeba, this is a work of art! Voted too, good luck!
hello deeba,Congrats for being the finalist …this is cake is awesome …love the flavor color ,each n every part of it …gr8 work ..yummySatyahttp://www.superyummyrecipes.com
Eh! Deeba I’m always sold on your trademark design on the border, one of this days I must try it, even though I’m pretty sure it might be disastrous! You know i love lavender with lemon, so there is no way I won’t like lavender with lemon curd. I remember reading Ju’s recipe for lemon curd and have been meaning to make it for long. Deeba in your recipe, the heading has been stated as lime instead of lemon? Infact in many places, I knw lime is more common in India, so did u use lemon or lime?
What a wonderful cake! Those flavors are just heavenly.
Cheers,
Rosa
Voted!
This is so so beautiful and neat looking cake.I am really not a big fan of lemon in desserts but lavender is one thing I have been wanting to try for a long time.So I guess I ll have to live with the whipped cream topping only!
Your niece is too cute ! I have a 11 year old cousin who is probably the best girl in the world for me ..I tell her almost all my shareable secrets 🙂
Btw I dropped on your blog to find a meringue recipe so guess I will explore more of your posts today.
Cheers
this doesnt even look like a cake, it looks like piece of art. how creative! love the pix too
Another work of art! Love the pink decor.
Sensational!
With Greetings from Sweden
Tyra
What an inspired combination. Love all the pics as always! I have a selection of bdays at the end of the year too. Must try this one. Hx
what a work of art! i wish to the sweet brithday fairy that my next birthday is spent with you – so you can back me an assortment of delicious cakes. what i am loving is that we both posted lavender and citrus curd desserts on our blogs at the same time!
Deeba, see this is why I love your styling. Even a secondary picture like the lemon curd jar on the chopping board is stunning. And whipped lemon curd? Now I must try this! 😮
Wow Deeba, another jaw-dropping gorgeous dessert! Wowee! And talk about sexy! That cream is fabulous. But the whole design together and the beautiful flavors just have me swooning, me of the everything chocolate and coffee kitchen. Your mom must’ve loved this cake. You are the absolute best baker out there, honey! Proud to be able to call you sister (and now can some of the talent rub off on me?)! Your niece is stunning!
Deeba…stunning is the word…I love yr pink lace designs on this cake..someday I will learn it from ya..and I wish to the fairy too..that way you will end up making 2 cakes b2b in a week…for me and meeta 😉
This is such a beautiful cake! I was hoping you were going to post this since we’ve sneaked a peak of it in your last post.
I’ve never made a chiffon cake but I’ll definitely try it.
I voted for you Deeba! Your blog is well worth the win! 🙂
magda
That is one of the most beautiful cakes I’ve ever seen!
absolutely gorgeous n stunning cake… n the girls r cute like a button 🙂
Wow just waited for this post ..love the lemon curd cream frosting for the cake.. lovely flavors.. cute girl pictures.. On the whole wholesome treat for our eyes..
Most elegant looking cake I’ve seen! Exquisite taste I’m sure. Here one gets to eat the fragrance and not wear it! Sensational recipe!
oh my GOD!!!!!!!! This is amazing Deeba!!! Love it love it love!!!
There is nothing you can’t bake Deeba. This is another gorgeous cake. I have never made a whipped lemon curd cream. Sounds like a tasty whipped cream. Hope you enjoy your day.
Hi Deeba, am breathless looking at the cake! Absolutely fresh and luscious, lovely combo. And what a great post. It’s always a pleasure to read your blogs, food writing is most certainly a wonderful skill that you possess. Hey do I see a cookbook on the horizon?
Btw, where do you get cream of tartar here?
Love
Natasha
Natasha, you are a sweetheart! Thank you for your wonderful words. Book? Would love to… LOL!
I think you get cream of tartar here at Modern Bazaar {they’ve got a nice branch at DLF Ph 1}, or then maybe at La Marche.
utterly and simply wonderful. as always, your posts inspire me! and that baby is quite delicious as well!
Looks so so gorgeous. Your border looks absolutely stunning, do you have any tips to make those cute purple border? Do you get those border readymade from shop. Please let me know, I would love to try this…
TY Ayeesha…I make them freehand with melted chocolate on parchment paper, and then wrap them around a cake when they are almost set. A small rest in the fridge, and I just peel the paper off. Will try and bribe the son to film me next time I try one, so you can see a video.
Wowwwwwwwwww now i am in torture, i dodn’t know if i love the cake or your beautiful cute niece Amana, 🙂
Looks delish, i love patricia’s blog too.
Just voted and forgot to say Happy B’day to your Mom.
Dear Deeba I really DIE FOR lemon curd and your look amazing and I llove baking with lavender is nice and delicious, waht delicate and lovely tart! your niece is sooo cute!!
huggs, xoxoxox gloria
I voted for you my dear right now!! You are fantastic! gloria
Sensational! Lavender and lemon are so delicious together! And such beautiful details, Deeba!
Lovely cake deeba 🙂
Am not sure what chiffon cake reminds me…as of now the cake pictures and pic’s of ur niece reminds me of my niece…Man i seriously miss my family. What a lovely cake you baked for ur mum…..they just too gorgeous, am loss of words for the design you have put together…am sure to grab ur idea in one of my cakes 🙂
You always leave me in absolute awe. This is so lovely. I wish someone would make me a cake like this *yep, thats a hint*
*kisses* HH
Deeba, what a stunning cake!!! LOVE the flavors!!!
Such expertise! I’m a sucker for desserts and these looks so yummy! Open a bakery Deeba 🙂 voted as well, good luck!
That looks so divine…lavender and lemon…OH MY!!! I wish I could have a slice right now!! Thank you as always for your exquisite posts!
WHOA?! You are a serious gifted person in the kitchen – your cake is stunning and your photographs are amazing. Gorgeous looking cake – i only wish I could make one look as professional as the one you made here. Also, the children in your post are beautiful.
Deeba, this is almost sinful in its wickedness 🙂 I’m a real fan of citrussy cakes and you’ve added lavender to the mix. I think I’m in love, truly I do believe I’m in love. I’m not hugely into baking…, don’t ask me why but I rarely bake….., but this I have to try. I shall report back!!!!!
It looks fabulous. And it sounds delightful. Will definitely try this one when the lemons come in around here. Way to try new things!
Another beautiful work of art Deeba! I must admt I’m still wary of lavender as a flavour, and I’ve never made chiffon cake before, but I’m really, really itching to bake this combo. Sounds delightful. And of course you have my vote 🙂
Your nieces are adorable! And, your cake is gorgeous as always. The lemon curd cream sounds absolutely amazing. I have to try that and soon!
OMG I love frosting recipe. It is genius.
I falling in love with your cake again!
beautiful and adorable 😉
Oh, my dear Deeba, you are just far too kind! Thank you for your kind words about my blog – when someone like YOU says nice things about my photos… It really makes my day – actually, my month! 😀
I’m so glad you and your loved ones enjoyed the cake – what an honor to see that recipe over here, and so beautifully baked and decorated!
xoxo
Your cake is beautiful and so are your nieces! I voted for you; Good Luck!!!
Deeba, this cake is beautiful! I wish I could get a piping tutorial from you! I grew up eating chiffon cakes, particularly pandan, and found myself craving them, so I had to learn how to make them! They’re one of my favourite things to make, but I always use a proper chiffon cake tin, and that seems to help the cake rise enormously. I was thinking of you the other day, because we went DSLR browsing in the store! 🙂
Your Nieces are adorable 🙂
And your cake is magnificent! This was your first experience with lemon curd.
Beautiful!
This is so beautiful. I love it!
Your cake are always so beautiful and inspiring Deeba. I know its a challange to come up with such beautiful stuff here …. and you still always do
I love how beautiful that cake looks and that decoration on the side is just perfect! So well done. And thanks also for the lemon curd recipe which I have been looking for (well, a good one) for a while now and this seems to be the one!
Cake looks good and so the kids.
Voted for you..Good Luck!!
Deeba, I love visiting your blog! I feel like Alice in Wonderland where I can stare at so many delightful confections so lovingly created by you! Lovely cake which I know I could never bake…I always burn almost everything I bake. I love love your photography and your little Amani is so adorable!
What a luscious cake, Deeba! I agree completely about lemon curd. And by the way, it’s marvelous mixed with yogurt and poured over fresh fruit.
Your photos are always so lovely and enticing!
Oh, Deeba! The cake is so so so beautiful! You really are extremely good at cake decorating. Great work on this one 🙂 I love the pink ornaments on the sides of the cake, it’s so lovely and adorable 🙂
Lovely colours and light and fluffy cake. Would love one of these!
omg Deeba, this cake is a work of art. I love the flavors. What a nice break to see something other than December holiday flavors. Just gorgeous!
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww che meraviglia!bravissima!!ciao!
Your nieces are beautiful. It sounds like you had a wonderful celebration with a gorgeous, scrumptious cake.
This cake is such a beauty – I love the flavours involved and your pretty decoration. I haven’t made a chiffon cake before but the results sound really delicious!
dear deeba,
ur blog is reallly amazing, after seeing ur forced to cook. wanted to ask what is cake floue. is it the regular maida we use.
have u bought a thermmomix as yet.
thnaks and take care,
sana
Thank you for your sweet words Sana. Baking is therapeutic for me!
Cake flour is all purpose flour {maida in India} with cornflour added to it to give you a lighter, more delicate crumb. Depending on how much you need, for every 1 cup of flour, take out 2 tablespoons of the flour, and replace it with two tablespoons of cornstarch.
That is so gorgeous. You did a fantastic job with the garnish- the lavender on top looks great and the pink accents are just dainty and perfect. I love lemon curd. I will have to try something with lavender and lemon curd, SOON!
Oh I love it Deeba and I’m really studying how you do your wonderful piping!
Forget a cook book… You really need to invest all your talent in the beautiful way you present your food and your amazing photography! Publish a book or publish art work… Your work is absolutely stunning!
Wow this cake looks gorgeous. I would never have thought of using chiffon cake as a base for a layer cake! It looks amazing, I love pink <3
Your cake is beautiful! I tried this cake for my birthday and the flavors were awesome! I also tried your white chocolate technique, although not with much success. Hope you don’t mind me posting the recipe on my blog! Thanks for the cake!
Your recipies look delicious. Would definitely try out some of them. In case you ever host a cookery class in gurgaon..please let me know
loved your recipies..please let me know if you ever organize any baking class in Gurgaon.
I would really like to make this chiffon cake, but I can’t find cream of tartar where I live. Is there a way to replace the cream of tartar or can I just leave it out?
How much I wish I could eat this right now. Your cake looks so beautiful and yummy at the same time!
Oh. My. Lord!!! This is the best cake I have ever made. Deeba, thank you for this amazing recipe, I made it twice and both times it came out very well. Heavenly flavor combination, very light, airy, not a hint of eggs, very unique. I am a chocolate cake person, don’t care about anything lemon, but this one – to die for!! Thank you !
You really made my day Christina. Thank you for taking the time to write back. So glad you enjoyed it!
This cake is about to win me a “cake boss” competition tomorrow I hope!!!!
Good luck Violet! Fingers crossed!
Hi!
I made this cake the week before for a little girl named Violeta (Violet) and all the family enjoy its lightnes, the lavender touch and the little bit acid and non-buttery frosting!
I loved it and I’m sure I’m gonna make it again!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Barcelona!
Thank you baking one of m favourite cakes Gemma, and for writing back to me. Appreciate it. Have a great day!!
Your cake looks beautiful. I wanted to check it out because it had lavender in it, and I am glad I did. Beautiful!