Monday 14 May 2012

Mini lemon cakes

IMG_0252
I had planned on writing this post waaay earlier but, you know how it is right...you get back home after a short holiday and you don't feel like doing anything, leave alone cooking. Even if we were away for only 3 days, it kinda put me in a state of lethargy and laziness and that's the reason why I'm about a week late in doing the deed.

The short break did us both good. We stayed in a cute lil B&B in the middle of nowhere and trekked around New Forest National Park which was an absolute beauty, areas of it at least. On our way back we stopped by Winchester, walked around the magnificent cathedral and headed back before rush hour. It didn't rain at all while we were there (much to my disappointment) but the moment we were on the M25 back into London, it started pouring like crazy. After gorging on pub food for 3 days continuously, we were dying to eat something spicy, and so invariably ended up ordering chicken biryani from a fav restaurant of ours. Here are some pics we took during the break.
IMG_1488 IMG_1511 IMG_1481 IMG_1519 IMG_1405 
Ro was out drinking and dining that entire week which meant no cooking at home and I was a happy girl eating sandwiches and quick fix meals junk. To add to the misery, the oven is still not fixed and I have started panicking slightly, especially since I have guests one after the other starting this month end.

Ok enough of complaints. Coming to this recipe...its again from the same book which had the Nanaimo bars and although I'm not that big a fan of citrussy food/ desserts, this one was not too bad, in spite of the lemon over dose. I wanted to post this on a day the sun was shining and everything was bright and yellow and lovely (which was last week), but since I'm thoroughly late in doing so, its pouring outside now and probably not the colour id associate with it. But with the hope that summery, sunshine days are not that far behind, here's kick starting the season with citrussy sweet mini lemon cakes.

Recipe halved from The Boy Who Bakes by Edd Kimber
IMG_0244 
Butter- 113 gms (at room temperature)
Caster sugar- 113 gms
Lemon zest- from one lemon
Plain flour- 63 gms
Ground almonds- 50 gms
Eggs- 2, lightly beaten
Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp (optional)

Lemon syrup
Lemon juice- from one lemon
Granulated sugar- 25 gms

Lemon glaze
Lemon juice- 2 to 3 tbsp
Icing sugar- 50 gms
IMG_0233 
Whisk together the flour and ground almonds in a bowl. Keep aside.
Using a hand beater or free standing mixer beat together the butter, sugar and lemon zest till light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium speed.
Mix the vanilla extract (if using) with the eggs and add this to the creamed mix, bit by bit, beating until well combined.
In two additions tip in the flour mix, beating/ folding until just combined.
Pour into greased muffin cups until about 3/4th full and bake in an oven pre heated at 180C for about 18 to 20 minutes or till a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Take it out of the oven and let it sit on a cooling rack

While the cakes are baking, you can make the syrup and glaze.
For the syrup, combine the lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and set over medium heat.
Simmer for a few minutes, or till all the sugar has dissolved.
Remove from the heat and set aside till ready to use.
For the glaze, whisk together the lemon juice and icing sugar till you get a smooth mix. It shouldn't be too loose, nor too thick.

Once the cakes are ready, when still warm to touch, prick the cake all over, using a tooth pick or wooden skewer. 
Brush generously with the lemon syrup and let the cakes stay in the muffin pan till completely cool
Then tip them onto the cooling rack, turn then upside down and spoon over the glaze, allowing it to drip down the sides.
IMG_0237 
Notes: Use lemon extract instead of vanilla to take the citrussy flavour a notch higher.
If the cakes have a pointed dome, just slice off the top a bit for a more level surface.
If you don't want the lemon flavour to over power, reduce them drastically.
The cakes taste even better the next day with the flavours completely catch on. Also, there is no fear of the cakes drying off because the lemon syrup makes sure its always moist.

20 comments:

Finla said...

I love short holiday, and looks like you had a good time, i loved his baking in British bake off.

Archana said...

Beautiful pictures.Great cakkes. I need a recipe for my daughters b'day. Will try this out. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

The third photo is breathtaking! Such a lovely quiet place.
I love baking lemon cake all the time. It'seEasy and not overly sweet.

divyagcp said...

Was thinking about baking lemon cake for a long time... Love the citrus flavor, kind of refreshing..
Pictures are absolutely beautiful..

Divya's Culinary Journey
Showcase- Desserts
Lets Party-Breakfast

Rose from Magpies Recipes said...

what a great idea to use muffin tins to make mini cakes! LOVE anything citrussy and these look so moist and soft too. Your weekend sounds lovely!motivating me to go plan something soon. Love holidays hate planning :(

Rose from Magpies Recipes said...

I love anything citrussy and these look so perfect! Love the idea about using muffin pans to make mini cakes! Your holiday looks lovely. I love holidays but hate planning - must do something soon too, your pics are motivating me to!

Suja Manoj said...

Love everything with citrus flavor,looks awesome..superb clicks dear.

Priya Suresh said...

Mindblowing mini cakes, very impressive and prefect.

turmericnspice said...

Love the colors !! Truly the color of sunshine !! Finally after all the wet day we have perfect blu skies... So this is perfect for this part of the world :))

Vineetha Sush said...

Lovely pics Nisha..Hope u had a great time,
have never tried citrus cakes ,looks super :)

Sumi said...

Love the last picture, so refreshing and summery

Akila said...

Wow that was a stunning cupcakes

Event: Dish name starts with L

Unknown said...

wow awesome dear!...drool over it! this is been thr in my list ...now i think i need to try it!

Tina said...

Sooo tempting...

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Lovely cake with refreshing citrus flavor...Beautiful clicks...

Indian Khana said...

Looks yum n refreshing ..lovely clicks

Spice up the Curry said...

sounds awesome. looks delicious

Reflections said...

The pics are gorgeous:-))!!!!

Kajal said...

The idea of a citrussy cake is literally making me drool. and the pics man! particularly love the third pic!

Unknown said...

beautiful clicks ....n great cakes with citrus flavor !!!!

http://www.onlyfishrecipes.com/