Monday, May 24, 2010

Daffodil Cake


I found this recipe in my "new" Fannie Farmer cookbook, from the last Library Book Sale. I decided I'd wait until my daughters came home to make it, because I knew they would add a positive note to the dessert reviews which inevitably occur. And besides, it was reputed to be pretty, like daffodils, and who doesn't like pretty food?

DAFFODIL CAKE

9 egg whites
1-1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sugar

4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/4 cup flour

2 tsp orange rind

Beat the egg yolks until thick and light colored. Beat in the sugar, then stir in the orange rind and set aside. In a separate bowl, place the egg whites. Sprinkle the cream of tartar, salt and vanilla over the whites, and beat until soft peaks form. Add the 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating after each addition. Beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the flour into the egg whi
te mixture, 1/4 cup at a time, mixing completely after each addition. Fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the beaten egg yolks, and stir until the color is consistent. Spoon the white and yellow mixtures alternately into an ungreased tube pan, not stirring the two colors together. Bake at 375F for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake is done. Let the cake cool for a few minutes, then turn the pan upside down to cool completely. Frost with a light butter frosting:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 4 tbsp) butter, at room temperature
1 pound confectioner's sugar

1 tsp orange extract
1 to 2 tsp finely chopped orange peel

cream as needed

Beat the butter and sugar together; the mixture will be crumbly. Add the orange extract, then add cream until the frosting is of the proper consistency. Stir the orange peel into the frosting, and put a thin coat of frosting on this cake.

The cake had a wonderful citrus flavor. As I predicted, the reaction was mostly favorable: the girls, Jeff, Ryan and my dearly beloved loved it. Dan and Mark thought it was good. Patrick hated it because it's not chocolate. I'm gonna hit that boy as soon as he kneels down so I can reach him, for being such a fussbudget.

14 comments:

SissySees said...

Sounds lovely, although I wonder if Patrick would like it with a dark chocolate glaze? (Which is how I think I'll finish it off...)

Personally, I'd love to have a man who loves chocolate. The Knight will only eat white or milk, and even then in GREAT moderation.

Mickle in NZ said...

What a wonderful cake - it looks so pretty and from the ingredients and recipe it just had to be a light textured cake.

Well done to Cass and Shannon, your beloved, and Jeff and Ryan for fully appreciating this recipe's result. Dan and Mark are showing a lot of hope towards foodieness. I truely fear that 'The Patrick' is lost to foodie, well .... anything .... that aint chocolate. And of course you can share ny thoughts here with the Patrick ... lad son ...

Love to you and all your family, with special huggles from the Zebster and his human, Michelle,

Michelle sneaking in extra special huggles to Marjie and darling Thor - a True Senior Statesman and absolute Mastiff Gentleman

Sue said...

Tell Patrick he's welcome here anytime. We are a chocolate household.

Paula said...

I'll take Patrick's portion!

buffalodick said...

I thought you liked my Key Lime cake- I like orange cake too!

Diane said...

This looks amazing, how can you expect everyone to have the same tastes!!! :) Diane

gMarie said...

It's a perfectly lovely cake. Me likey. You could always get a step stool to beat the young lad - or just stop feeding him all together. g

Christo Gonzales said...

drizzle a little hershey syrup on it and call it a day - you know you can still reach him with a broom handle if need be...this cake looks like a nice light fluffy sponge cake...

Lapdog Creations said...

Yummy!

The Blonde Duck said...

I love the pretty color!

Pam said...

I think it looks so pretty! I'll take Patrick's piece... his loss, my gain. :)

~~louise~~ said...

Daffodil Cake! I've been yearning to do a post for Daffodil Cake since the beginning of Spring. I'm going to have to check and see if I can find Daffodil Cake Day. If not, I may just request one!!!

Daffodil Cake has been a beloved favorite birthday since its introduction by Swans back in the 20's (I think:)

Your cake looks absolutely heavenly Marjie. I'm so delighted you did this post. Now I have a link when I finally get around to doing a post of my own.

Thanks for sharing...(please explain to Patrick; sometimes chocolate can be put in the corner for a classic such as Daffodil Cake:) But, don't bend down!!!

Linda said...

I remember that cake from my grandmother's. She used Fanny's old addition. My brother would call it a girly cake.

Rose said...

Oh my goodness! You've got me drooling again!