March 2, 2010

Angelfood Cake

I love angelfood cake. Alexis does too, it's one of her favorites. It's so light, airy and just an all around a fabulous little dessert that isn't quite as heavy.

When we had company the weekend before last I wanted to have a bit of a variety when it came to dessert. I made some peanut butter cookies for Jamison and anyone else that wanted them, and then brownies and angelfood cake to round things out. I cut up some strawberries and made some whipped cream and viola...Dessert!

I've made angelfood cakes from mixes before, but this was the first time starting out from scratch. I have to say it was much easier than I had anticipated, but then again most things are it would seem! The crumb was fabulous, and the cake was airy, it was perfect!

Oh and anyone have any ideas what to do with 8 egg yolks other than brioche? Drop me a comment and let me know!

What You'll Need:
1 1/2 cups of egg whites at room temperature (Note: It took about 8 eggs.)
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of almond extract
1 cup of organic cane sugar
1 1/4 of cups powdered sugar sugar
1 cup of unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of sea salt

Place oven rack to the second lowest position.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

First up make sure your egg whites are at room temperature. It makes them beat a bit better. Place egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, almond extract and cane sugar in the bowl of a mixer and beat on high until stiff peaks form. Keep a close eye on this as it beats so you are sure they don't go too far.

While the eggs are beating sift flour, powdered sugar and salt together three or four times. (Note: For angelfood cake this is very important. This is one of the few times you'll see me sift something.) Set aside.

Once the eggs are beaten to stiff peaks slowly add the flour mixture a little at a time, folding to incorporate. Once all of the flour is incorporated pour the batter into an angelfood cake pan that is ungreased.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour until cake is springy when touched and a very nice golden brown.

Cool inverted (that's upside down in case you didn't know! ;oP) and then remove from the pan. You may have to run a knife along the edge of the pan for it to release.

Serve as soon as cooled or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes: Angelfood cake is good plain, or with berries and whipped cream. I was discussing angelfood cakes with someone that works at the grocery store I shop at and he said he had heard of people making strawberry and chocolate versions. I must experiment!

Posted by Dianne at 10:04 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

January 30, 2010

Happy Third Blogaversary To Me! Let's Celebrate With Blueberry Cake!

Three years ago today I started Dianne's Dishes! It's been a fun ride and I've really enjoyed the past three years. I don't usually post recipes on the weekends, but given the occasion I just couldn't resist! We were supposed to have dinner guests this evening, but we got snowed out and had to reschedule. I had already made dessert, so I thought I'd share that with you today to celebrate the big day! So sit back, relax and have a piece of cake...It's on me! ;oP

What You'll Need:
1 stick of butter, melted and cooled
1 - 11 ounce container of blue berries
1/3 cup of water
3 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 heaping tablespoons baking powder
1 cup of buttermilk
2 eggs

Melt butter and set aside to cool.

Wash blueberries and place in a medium sized pot:

I actually used some blueberries I had frozen. I like frozen blueberries as a treat and often buy containers, wash them, let them dry and then freeze them to pull out for a sweet, yet healthy snack. They worked perfectly for this! Fresh or home frozen blueberries either will work.

Add sugar to blueberries:

And then water:

Stir to coat the blueberries:

Cook blueberries over medium heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes stirring often. Your blueberries will form a syrup and the berries themselves will turn soft:

Remove the blueberry sauce from heat and let sit and cool to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a large glass bowl mix together flour, salt and baking powder and stir to incorporate:

Add melted butter, blueberry sauce, buttermilk and eggs to flour mixture:

Stir to mix:

Pour batter into a 13 X 9 inch dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray:

Bake for 25-30 minutes until cake is slightly golden and done through:

Let cool to room temperature and then frost. (See below)

What You'll Need for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
3 cups of powdered sugar

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Slowly add sugar and mix until smooth. Spread the frosting on the cooled blueberry cake.

Notes: If I had had a lemon I probably would have added lemon juice/zest to the cake and/or the frosting.

Posted by Dianne at 5:07 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

December 3, 2009

Pumpkin Pound Cake

What's Thanksgiving (or Fall for that matter) without a little pumpkin? This year I wanted to do something a little different, yet still have that iconic autumn fruit on the menu. I normally make a pie, tart or cheesecake, but this year I thought it would be fun to make a Pumpkin Pound Cake and I was very happy with the results!

The pumpkin gives the cake a moist and substantial texture, while the mix of sugars adds a nice complex sweetness that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and sour cream. This is a very easy cake to put together, yet a delicious alternative to the traditional pumpkin treats. If you're a pumpkin fan then this is the cake for you!

What You'll Need:
2 sticks of butter softened
2 cups of mashed pumpkin
1/2 cup of sour cream (Note: I used the light variety)
2 cups of organic cane sugar
1 cup of natural brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of sea salt
3 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
6 eggs

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Add butter, pumpkin, sour cream, sugars, baking soda, baking powder and sea salt to a mixer and mix until completely smooth. Slowly add flour and mix until just mixed. Add eggs two at a time and mix until completely incorporated.

You can add the batter to loaf pans that have been sprayed with non-stick spray or a Bundt pan. I prefer the Bundt pan. Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake for 50-75 minutes until cakes stick done.

Let cool and then remove from pan. Slice and serve plain or with whipped cream.

Notes: You could add in 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon if you liked and/or perhaps some nutmeg.

Posted by Dianne at 10:56 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 10, 2009

Chocolate Cake à la Alexis

A few weeks ago Alexis wanted to make a chocolate cake. She told me what to put in the cake, and I figured out the right quantities. What we came up with was a very moist, very tender, really fabulous chocolate cake! Top it with your favorite frosting/icing and you've got the perfect treat!

What You'll Need:
1 1/2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
2/3 cups of cocoa powder
1 cup or organic cane sugar
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 tablespoon of baking powder
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/3 cup of safflower oil
2 eggs
1 cup of buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl add flour, cocoa, sugar, sea salt and baking powder and stir until well mixed.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add vanilla, oil, eggs and buttermilk. Stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Pour batter into an 8 X 8 inch dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake for 30-40 minutes until cake sticks done.

Cool and top with your favorite frosting or icing.

Notes: If you wanted to switch things up a bit you could use mint or almond extract instead of vanilla. Mini chocolate chips would be a fabulous addition too.

Posted by Dianne at 12:13 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack