I love cardamom. It is by far, bar none, my favorite spice. Second to that is nutmeg, so if I have the opportunity to combine the two, I am all for it. AND I love bundt pans because you can make really cool looking cakes without frosting — and you all saw evidence of how untalented I am at frosting the other day. I bought myself this bundt pan for my birthday this week and really like the pattern. Just a sprinkling of powdered sugar and this Cardamom Nutmeg Spiced Bundt Cake really pops. Very straight forward recipe and extraordinarily pleased at the outcome.
cake
Here is my annual Cake Day cake. I mention this every year, but I don’t make cakes all that often — I’m not very good at decorating / frosting, and even more so in the days of a global pandemic, making cupcakes as not to share food is better anyway. That said, one day out of the year, I do make a cake, so this year is no different. I love the combination of coconut and chocolate so this celebratory has both cake types and frosting types, in addition to garnet-colored sugar flowers as they are the January birthstone color. Here’s to being 50, I guess!
I found a similar recipe using delicata squash a while back and have finally gotten around to trying it — and wow, I am actually impressed at how delicious and flavorful this is. I mean, it’s nothing like a pumpkin pie or anything, but it is delicious, and if you aren’t a “pie person” this might be a good option as a Thanksgiving Day dessert. Definitely serve with ice cream and still slightly warm. Yum.
Something very German today: Käsekuchen, traditional German-style Cheesecake. It is made with Quark, which is nearly impossible to find around here, but I make my own (sort of like making yogurt). I am always a little nervous when making cheesecake, actually, because it can get quite dense or develop an unslightly crack through the middle, but this was light an fluffy and very was a great success. It was tart and lemony and yet still sweet and light. Pleased with the result.
Ending my Easter baking this year with a little Cardamom Carrot Cake with Pecans and Zante Currants. I love cardamom — my favorite spice — and a nice, healthy carrot cake to balance out all the chocolate Easter Bunnies. I didn’t make the sugar-decorations just bought them; being lazy), but they are a cute addition, don’t you think?