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Lavender Mascarpone Cake … as delicious as it sounds

2009/11/20 / 66 Comments
“Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.”
Author Unknown

collagedbl+main

I changed my blog header 2 days ago with pictures of my birthday cake. How ambitious of me when I thought I’d post the recipe alongside. 2 days have zipped by & I am still struggling with my thoughts. Time, or the lack of it, is to blame, but I got a couple of emails this morning conveying how ‘torturous’ it was not to find the recipe posted and just pictures! Then my dear tweetbuddy Yogalili tweeted…collage22
@vindee waiting as patient as a spider for the lavender cake post……
& again…
@vindee Get thee to thy master’s lair…your grace!!! I be a hungry lavender lovin minyon!!
…so here I am!

 

(You have to see the picture of the cake Yogalili made soon after.
It’s at the bottom of this post. She is brilliant!!)
collagemarzipan
Was my birthday a couple of days ago, and an opportunity to bake another cake. The boy tried very hard to convince me that they would ‘buy’ me a cake, “Mama it’s you birthday, watch TV all day!”…Ultimate comfort in his eyes??? LOL, he’s never seen me plonked in front of the TV, so he figured that might be some sort of ultimate luxury for his darling mother. He’s been at home for the past 2 weeks as his class in school is shut with 8 cases of H1N1, and it never seems to end. All he sees me do is racing from here to there like a headless chicken, with the odd whinge thrown in! collage2
So much to do & so little time! But I always find time to do what I want to, so what if it kills me, so cake I had to bake. Was thinking coffee but alongside was toying with the idea of lavender in a cake. How would it be? Actually Shaheen @ Purple Foodie had very large heartedly mailed me half her stash of lavender some time back, with some more goodies. shaheen+lavenderThe bag included a cherry pitter (yes, Jamie, a leap out of stone-age for moi), some interesting spice mixes, a muffin book & a box of sprinkles! Sweet isn’t she, this Purple foodie? That bag of lavender was calling my name, and it finally helped me chart a path to my birthday cake. IMG 4179

Finally settled for a light fatless sponge, sandwiched and frosted with lavender mascarpone. Made some marzipan flowers from left over home made marzipan from my Cinnamon Buttercream Autumn Cake here, which won me a beautiful cake decorating book from the Ivonne & Lis from the Daring Kitchen! This was my first time making roses, following a step by step tutorial from beautiful cake book by Peggy Porschen’s Pretty Party Cakes.24

My flowers weren’t as smooth for 2 reasons. One I think is that store bought marzipan is smoother so gives a better end product, and secondly as Peggy says in her book, with practice the roses get better & better. I was quite happy with my first attempt. I even hand cut the leaves, and maked the veins on them from a great tutorial that Alice from Savoury Sweet Life posted here. Do stop by & see her absolutely gorgeous cake … it’s a piece of art!! collageIMG 4632
This lavender mascarpone cake was a delicious departure from chocolate. Soothing as lavender is said to be, it was elegant & subtly flavoured. Lavender married the mascarpone sensuosuly, like they were meant to be together. My only regret was that I should have increased the amount of cream on the frosting. My recipe reflects the increased amount…
collage21Lavender Mascarpone Cake
Ingredients:

5 eggs (250gms)
100gms flour (half the weight of the eggs, including the cornflour)
2 tbsps cornflour
1tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
100gms sugar(less than half the weight of the eggs)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Purple food colour, optional
Filling/Topping
600gm mascarpone (homemade recipe here)
200ml cream (25% fat, that’s all we get here)
1/2 tsp lavender
3-4 Tbsp icing sugar for filling
2 tbsp sugar ground with 1/4 tsp lavender seeds for topping
Food colour collagemaking

Method:
For the sponge
Preheat oven to 190C , reduced to 180C after 10 mins of putting the cake in. Grease and line a 8″ springform cake tin.
Sift the flour + baking powder + salt 3 times.
Beat the eggs and sugar well with hand beater till very thick ribbon falls and holds in place for at least 5 seconds (beat for approx 10mins). Add vanilla extract & beat for 1 min.
Gently fold in the sifted flour; mix lightly so that air doesn’t escape.
Turn gently into tin and bake for 30-35 mins till done. Don’t overbake or sponge will be dry.
Once done, remove from tin after 5 mins and leave on rack to cool completely. Cut horizontally into 3 layers.IMG 4388 horzFilling:
To flavour mascarpone, stir the lavender into 1/4 cup mascarpone & leave to infuse overnight.
Whip 400ml mascarpone with 4tbs powdered sugar until thick and holds peaks.
Place the bottom most layer of the sponge on your serving platter, spread half the lavender cream on it. Repeat with next 2 layers. collage4Topping:
Whip remaining 200gm mascarpone with 200ml chilled cream and lavender sugar till holds peaks.
Reserve 1-2 tbsps for piping on top. Frost cake top & sides with rest. Put sponge fingers as a border if you like. Top with marzipan flowers. Chill well before serving.

collageIMG 4612 ♥ Thank you for stopping by ♥

~

My birthday was made even better by this sweet Delhi blogger, Nachiketa, who came along to wish me with a Coffee Tiramisu that she made especially for me. Drop-dead gorgeous cake, delicious & full of my beloved coffee, and beautiful flowers too. Thank you Nach… the cake was perfect in every way & so me…!Nachiketa+2

On another note, I have a ‘Custom Thank You Cards’ giveaway promotion on my blog today from one of my blog sponsors,UPrinting ! greetingcards upHolidays are just around the corner, ‘tis the season to be merry and giving custom thank you cards is the perfect gift to express your warm thoughts to your loved ones. One lucky reader will be jingling all the way with a pack of 50 Custom Thank You Cards with envelopes, all for free! UPrinting cards are made from high-quality paper and cardstock and will surely bring holiday cheer to your friends and family.collageIMG 4388 horz
Prize Offered: (50 ct.) 7 x 5″ (folded to 3.5 x 5″) Custom Thank You Cards with plain envelopes.

If you wish to part of the giveaway, please leave a comment on how you would use the cards. I’d love to hear about your creative ideas!

 

The giveaway is on until November 28th. The prize will be announced thereafter.
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.

Disclosure : I will be receiving fifty (50) thank you cards from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway.

Don’t miss a post feed

yoga+ili

Am adding a picture of the cake Yogalili made soon after I blogged my recipe. My son’s immediate reaction… “Wow, will she give it to us? I want it now!!”…

…Thank you YL; you are a ‘dream’ student, sponge fingers & all !!

Posted by Deeba @ PAB

About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.

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66 Comments

  • Rosa's Yummy Yums

    2009/11/20 at 6:23 pm Reply

    Just simply stunning! I love it's refined looks and dainty decorations!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • The Cooking Ninja

    2009/11/20 at 6:26 pm Reply

    Awesome! So beautiful! Wish I could have a slice of your delicious cake. I was drooling over my laptop, how silly is that.

  • Dragon

    2009/11/20 at 6:30 pm Reply

    Lovely, lovely cake!

    I would use the custom cards to create invitations for one of my seven deadly sins dinner. I'd want something in black, red and gold. Deliciously sinful. 🙂

  • Kathleen

    2009/11/20 at 7:17 pm Reply

    Deeba I just found your blog and I LOVE it. I mail ordered a fairly large bag of cooking grade lavender and have yet to do anything with it!! Now I know how I'll be using it. Thank you for sharing and nice to meet you!

  • Happy cook

    2009/11/20 at 7:29 pm Reply

    First of all Belated b'day wishes dear Deeba.
    The cake is just beautiful, i am not a huge fan of lavender, but i love the look of this cake and the colour.
    I am sure gonna make one day one your superb beautiful looking cake.
    I have never made one.

  • Happy cook

    2009/11/20 at 8:09 pm Reply

    Deeba was going through the recipe, you write half the amount of flour to the egg.
    Egg is 250 gm
    And the flour is 100 gm, so should i use 100 or 125

  • Jenn

    2009/11/20 at 8:40 pm Reply

    Wow that cake is simply a work of art, it is just gorgeous!! I have a bunch of lovely dried lavender buds but never think to use them, I may have to try this cake!

  • Bellini Valli

    2009/11/20 at 9:55 pm Reply

    Happy Birthday amigo. With all there is to do so glad you found some time to celebrate, even if you weren't in front of the television. Your roses are beautiful and lavender one of my favourite garden flowers.

  • Mansi

    2009/11/20 at 11:34 pm Reply

    You never ceaze to amaze me with your flavor combinations, and of course, the artwork on your cakes! Happy Belated B'day gal!:)

    as for the cards, this is our first Holiday season with my little angel, so would love to send out Thank You cards with a cute family pic, and her palm print initials:)

  • foodie ffanatic

    2009/11/20 at 11:56 pm Reply

    I know I'm repeating others' comments, but the cake is stunning! I can't believe you haven't been making flowers forever – they are gorgeous.

    If I were to win the thank you cards, I would gift them to my daughter. She is very concientious about sending hand written notes to thank people and is teaching her children to do the same. It's practically a lost art these days.

    Thanks for a chance at the giveaway. (My birthday was just two days ago, but I bet I'm older than you!)

  • Barbara Bakes

    2009/11/21 at 3:18 am Reply

    It really is a fabulously elegant cake! I hope your new year is filled with wonderful surprises!

  • Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets

    2009/11/21 at 3:53 am Reply

    Just gorgeous, Deeba! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us and I think your roses are lovely already.

  • Alicia (The Red Deer)

    2009/11/21 at 5:27 am Reply

    Happy birthday! Your lavender cake looks gorgeous (as always) and the marzipan roses are wonderful too.

  • sunita

    2009/11/21 at 11:28 am Reply

    Beautiful cake Deeba; I have made roses before, but that was with fondant. For your first try, you've done a great job. I'm sure you had a wonderful birthday 🙂

  • Sarah, Maison Cupcake

    2009/11/21 at 12:08 pm Reply

    I was just looking at the lavender chicken parfait on Dirty Kitchen Secrets and now here we have lavender dessert! This has got to be the prettiest cake I have seen in a long while. Those sponge fingers around the edge really fit in with the style of it. The flowers look great, I would make a ham-fisted mess of those I'm suree.

  • MeetaK

    2009/11/21 at 1:29 pm Reply

    a cake start – that's what you are. the roses look great and what a lovely flavorful cake. just gorgeous!

  • Chow and Chatter

    2009/11/21 at 2:08 pm Reply

    Happy birthday girl what a lovely cake wow 8 cases at his school hope they all get well soon love rebecca

  • Gloria

    2009/11/21 at 2:33 pm Reply

    Deeba!!!! Happy beated birthday!! I send you huggs and kisses dear.
    You are a very special friend to me!
    And your cake is absolutely awesome is perfect!! I love marzipan roses and I use lavender to bake too, is nice, all is beauty and perfect, a big hugg!!! gloria

  • Amanda

    2009/11/21 at 4:02 pm Reply

    Every time I visit and think you have posted the most gorgeous thing ever, you top it the next post! Amazing!

  • Curry Leaf

    2009/11/21 at 4:38 pm Reply

    Gorgeous Cake.Belated B'Day wishes.Never ever tried lavender.Can't take my eyes off the cake.GORGEOUS

  • zurin

    2009/11/21 at 4:50 pm Reply

    What a sweet n pretty cake Deeba. N happy belated birthday to you! A Lavender cake sounds just so very pretty and fragile.and it certainly looks it.

    Love the roses and leaves. I learnt making sugar roses from a book too. And practise does indeed make perfect. but of course yours look beautiful already.

  • Barbara

    2009/11/21 at 5:29 pm Reply

    That is an elegant, feminine cake, Deeba. Happy Belated Birthday to you!
    Your roses are perfect!

  • Arwen from Hoglet K

    2009/11/21 at 9:34 pm Reply

    I love you handmade roses! I haven't cooked with lavender before, but I've been looking at a recipe for lavender and honey icecream and wondering how it would turn out. I hope you had a great birthday!

  • A_and_N

    2009/11/22 at 12:44 am Reply

    OMG, Deeba. You've moved from just being an expert to a master. Such passion and such creativity. Love it.

  • Steph

    2009/11/22 at 1:25 am Reply

    Deeba, that is just absolutely beautiful! I love your style. It's simple yet elegant. Sometimes when I try decorating with flowers, I get a little overboard and the cake looks overwhelmed. Love the mascarpone frosting!!

    I've never had lavender in a cake and would love to give it a try… once I find lavender first though!

  • The Purple Foodie

    2009/11/22 at 4:23 am Reply

    I was waiting for this post! I was wondering why the photos in the header changed and there wasn't any now I know! You make me blush with all those things you said about me. I'm so happy the lavender was a part of your birthday. xoxo

  • Mimi

    2009/11/22 at 4:26 am Reply

    Happy Belated birthday. Your cake looks fabulous and your roses too. For incredible, silky marzipan try the recipe in the Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum.
    Mimi

  • LaDue & Crew

    2009/11/22 at 5:43 am Reply

    It was interesting, my dear friend, that Lavender has such an amazing soothing quality, it has even spilled forth onto your photos… giving me peace and tranquility, not caring a tad bid about the drool down my chin and onto my desk… I would have to therefore use the cards to Thank you for a delicious moment of relaxation, and for becoming my most fav laundry sharing sista 😉

  • Pavithra

    2009/11/22 at 7:26 am Reply

    BElated wishes Deeba.. the cake is gorgeous , awesome flavour of lavander. Marzipan roses look so pretty.

  • Sophie

    2009/11/22 at 10:17 am Reply

    Happy Bitrhday, deeba! Your lavender georgous cake looks absolutely fabulous!!

    You are surely the master in baking!!

    MMMMMMMM,…

  • Audax

    2009/11/22 at 4:22 pm Reply

    Happy B'day to you and your cake looks so beautiful I would be afraid to cut into it (only for a moment I think LOL LOL) and those roses are so elegant and goregous you really out did yourself. And congrats on winning the cake decoration comp your cake was so good. Bravo on a wonderous result. Cheers from Audax in Australia.

  • SE(Denufood)

    2009/11/22 at 5:39 pm Reply

    Hey Deeba..first time here and came through EC's blog..my goodness you have such a wonderful space and with all those cakes..yummy..& a very happy birthday to you !!!

  • anna

    2009/11/22 at 6:51 pm Reply

    That is a GORGEOUS cake! Wish the cake I'd made for my birthday was that pretty or delicious. Seriously enchanting colors, it looks magic!

  • Kerstin

    2009/11/22 at 7:27 pm Reply

    Happy Birthday!! That is a gorgeous cake, and so perfect for your blog header! I'm completely impressed, as usual 🙂

  • Helene

    2009/11/23 at 6:40 am Reply

    Happy Belated Birthday! How exciting that you made such a beautiful cake. Simply stunning.

  • Sunshinemom

    2009/11/23 at 9:30 am Reply

    I just saw that cake in Nachiketa's blog! Happy belated birthday wishes and may you keep enjoying more such birthdays and continue to inspire more people!

  • Twinsy Rachel

    2009/11/23 at 9:38 am Reply

    Hi Deeba:

    Belated Birthday Wishes!!! The cake is gorgeous and awesome(as always)… Loved the marzipan roses too. The sponge fingers add a style to the cake. Also congrats on winning the book..God Bless You in the New Year

  • Aparna

    2009/11/23 at 6:05 pm Reply

    I know I've already sid Happy Birthday and told you your cake looks gorgeous, But I am saying it just once more. 🙂

  • Anonymous

    2009/11/23 at 9:11 pm Reply

    Beautiful cake, Deeba. You out-do yourself every time! Lavender is my favorite fragrance – I use lavender-scented room freshners, I put some essence in my eye pillow, and it is a color that I prefer to wear too. I never imagined it in a cake until now!

    As for the cards, I volunteer at a hospital once a week. Since Xmas is not too far, I will bake Xmas cookies, put them in small gift bags, tag these Thank You cards to them, and gift them to the patients I meet there.

  • diva

    2009/11/24 at 4:54 pm Reply

    i love LAVENDER, as sunita might have realized at the BBC good food show. lol 😉 what a beautiful bday cake. this might be something my mum might like as she doesnt like my chocolate cakes or anything i bake for her for her bday. lol

    happy belated. i shall be working at your present on friday 😉 xxx

  • Arti

    2009/11/25 at 4:52 am Reply

    Thanks a lot Deeba for posting the beautiful recipe!!! The more i look at the recipe (& ofcourse at pictures), more and more yummy the cake seems to be!!!!

  • Shabs..

    2009/11/25 at 1:28 pm Reply

    Belated Birthday wishes to u from my side deeba…..Ur cake- I am speechless….The most amazing thing in ur cookery is u cook where the supply of cooking goods are limmited and u utilise it th emaximum possible way…..You are a gorgeous baker.

  • telecommande xbox 360

    2010/01/01 at 10:39 am Reply

    This cake is amazing! Makes me want to get out there and get to a baking class asap! I want one like that too for my Birthday bash! Keep up the great work!

  • Karol Eddleman

    2011/04/09 at 5:31 am Reply

    Just ran across your blog, man this is an amazing site, loved the read. gonna keep checking out your new stuff. thanks

  • Prabs

    2012/02/03 at 12:10 pm Reply

    Such a lovely cake!
    Been a silent reader and awe-struck admirer. I am an amateur baker and have not ventured into using food colours, as yet.
    Do you use the food colour gel, Deeba? Or does the powder suffice?
    If you do use gel, where do you get it from?

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