Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tuesdays with Julia and Dorie: Lemon Cake

LOVELY LEMON CAKE LOAVES
I get extra happy anytime I can bake using my backyard citrus.  I was interested in baking today's cake, which I would label as a pound cake, for two other reasons:  1.)  I needed to make 240 small desserts for a friend's birthday party (three varieties with 80 each), and 2.)  I wanted to try this recipe using only the zest of the lemon and not adding additional fresh squeezed juice as an ingredient.  I've collected many citrus using recipes for baked goods that flavor the batters and doughs with only zest and I wanted to bake this cake and learn if the zest alone added enough lemony flavor for my tastes.


By tripling the recipe, I got 5 loaves one size smaller than the recommended recipe size.  I sliced each loaf into 12 pieces and then cut each slice in half.  I topped these cake slices with sweetened fresh strawberry puree, a heavy cream/cream cheese topping and garnished with a slice of berry.   This gave me my 80 mini-desserts using lemon cake and also left me with lemon cake for family.  All my desserts had to be assembled last minute and had to travel 45 minutes...and it is 92^ outside... and the party is outside.  These desserts needed to hold up for both the car ride and also in the outdoor heat.  My desserts held up beautifully and were loved by my friend and his guests.

LEMON LOAVES TRANSFORMED INTO MINI STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES
Before slicing each loaf, I cut off the cake ends...these ends became my taste.  Verdict:  I like more lemon flavor.  

These loaves are quickly baked and produce beautiful loaves, but next time I will make a lemon glaze to drizzle over their tops.

Also, the loaves for home use were enjoyed the following day, and I liked this cake better after it had a day to "ripen."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DEAN!

13 comments:

  1. I'll have to try my cake today and see how it's "ripened". :)

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  2. Kris - you are definitely the queen of baking for large crowds. I don't know how you do it!

    P.S. I have considerable envy of all those with back yard citrus :-)

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  3. What a wonderful treat! Your friend is so lucky! lemon & strawberry is one of my favorite combinations - and an Italian classic.

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  4. I love your little desserts,they came out beautifully !

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  5. Krissy, You amaze me, once again. Are you really a Super Woman or does it just appear that way to all of us? You are very clever - as to your output of mini-desserts. As for the lemon flavor? I wrapped mine in a towel for overnight and the lemon taste was subtle and flavorful. I liked it. Well done, my dear. Mary

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  6. Wow, your individual desserts are beautiful! I would have snatched those up first from the buffet :)

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  7. Wow, Kris! How do you find the time?! Your little lemon strawberry shortcakes are so cute! What a beautiful birthday spread.

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  8. I love all the mini loaves and the mini sample bites! Great job, Kris!

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  9. I have been wanting to comment on your blog since I joined TWD and I could never get it to work until I figured out that I have to use my Google account, not my Wordpress one! So now that I've got that figured out, I just want to say wow! That is a lot of lemon cake! You always do such a beautiful job, but I am really impressed! Way to go! I thought it needed a glaze or something too so if I make it again, I will definitely go that route. Again, your mini desserts look lovely!

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  10. FROM ROSA

    Oh Kris, I am sad to say that I have more and more trouble trying to post on your blog. But wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear about your son’s accident and I hope that he mends soon. Sometimes baking really is the best distraction from life’s little trials.

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  11. Wow that's a lot of cake! Great job though, I'm sure your friend was very grateful. Now, what were the other 2 desserts you had to make? :)

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  12. The mini lemon strawberry shortcakes are adorable - and check out that birthday spread - amazing!

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