MangiaMore: lightened HUMMINGBIRD cake

RER 3.27.16

I generally equate coconut cake with Easter. In fact, there has been the rare occasion that I have eaten coconut cake outside of Easter or that I did not enjoy coconut cake on Easter. The two just go together in my mind—like peanut butter and jelly would, if I could eat it. Cake and holiday meld to one (but not really).

RER 3.27.16

RER 3.28.16

RER 3.27.16

This Easter, however, was one of those rare occasions when coconut cake was not devoured on the holiday. This year was a little different. Why? Who knows? Perhaps, spring break sprung and there was so much to do, or a newish job caused sharp ups and downs, or downtime is the new norm. Perhaps, we have all been more wary of sweets and what we eat (by all, I mean everyone in my family except for me). Have no fear; cake was still involved.

RER 3.28.16

RER 3.27.16

Hummingbird cake has been a hot topic here for the last couple weeks or so—something about a yoga teacher needing the southern specialty for her mother’s birthday. The anecdote sparked interest and a Google search (or two), and eventually, led me to make a lighter version Hummingbird cake for Easter.

RER 3.27.16

RER 3.28.16

At first, I was alarmed by the quantity and the diversity of the fruits that come together to compose this cake. A lighter version means less oil and more fruits (more banana and applesauce). Sure, I have had banana bread and banana cake, I have made applesauce cake, and I am mildly familiar with pineapple upside-down cake. But all three—together— sounded nuts.

RER 3.27.16

RER 3.27.16

That is until I ate my first slice. Banana is the only really prevalent flavor in the layers of not-so-sweet cake. It is not intense, but round and full, reminiscent of the banana bread I am familiar with. The applesauce vanishes into pure moisture, holding the dense cake together. And the pineapple pieces are only discernible when encountered, but the studs are sweet and tangy, like the scrumptious cream cheese frosting blanketing the cake. This recipe was a breeze (once the bananas were ripe enough—we put the bananas in a brown paper bag with a super ripe avocado) and definitely an easy classic.

RER

3.27.16

MangiaMore: VALENTINE'S DAY linzer cookies

RER 2.11.15

I live for the sappy holiday, Valentine’s Day. When I was younger it was about giving out sour sweet candy to my classmates as valentines or receiving candy grams during homeroom in high school. Now I love Valentine’s Day because it’s another excuse to bake something pink and red themed, eat candies till I fall over, and oh yeah, celebrate with the boo.

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

I usually make him a treat as a tasty Valentine’s Day gift. Most times it’s poorly decorated red velvet cupcakes, but this year I wanted to try something different. So, I picked Linzer cookies because they are easily transformed into cutesy heart-shaped goodies with a pretty dusting of white powdered sugar and a pop of red jam.

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

I used this recipe, and the cookies turned out adorable indeed. After rolling the textured dough, I quickly grew tired of keeping track of cookies (there’s that whole business of ones with windows and ones without to complete the sandwich). So I decided to finish with small hearts to create little sandwich cookies.  This was the best idea ever (well, yesterday when I made the cookies). The mini sandwiches are just as cute.

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

These Linzer cookies are extremely flavorful, laced with tart lemon peel and spicy cinnamon and reinforced with aromatic roasted almonds. The apricot raspberry preserves I chose is sweet and tart, which works well with the not-too-sweet cookies. The cinnamon, however, was a little off-putting to me. Its sweet spiciness is delightful, but the amount the recipe called for might have been overkill. If I make these little guys again, I would definitely use less cinnamon.

RER 2.10.15

RER 2.10.15

JAR 2.10.15

My valentine did get to taste the cookies early, and I am pretty sure he liked them. Maybe I will whip up something else before the big day. Any suggestions (preferably something heart-shaped, pink, red, or sweet)? What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

RER

2.11.15

RER 2.11.15