It's week 4 of the Sunday Bakers, and now that this blog is up and running, I can not only post on the Slow Travel Board, I can blog about it here (which was the original idea I think).
This week we made Grappa-Soaked Mini Sponge Cakes. For me the chase was for the baking pans, not the ingredients like in other weeks. We even had some grappa, unopened, from our last duty-free run through the Milan airport. This recipe called for the cakes to be baked in mini bundt pans. I have a large bundt, and muffin pans, but wanted to find the mini bundt pans. I knew they existed since I had bought some for a bridal shower gift a few years back.
I did a Google search, found that Target carried them, as did Sur La Table, Wal-Mart, etc but I wanted them by the weekend, so did some store searching in person and by phone. None to be found in Pasadena last week. On Wednesday night, I found them on Amazon and did something I hardly ever do, pressed the 1-day ridiculously expensive delivery button, and yes, indeed, they were mine on Friday.
As for the baking on Saturday morning, thank god for that Kitchenaid mixer, since this recipe called for separate mixing of yolk mixture and then the whipped whites. I almost had a baking disaster when I realized that I had mixed the dry ingredients with a 2 cup measure and now had 4 cups of cake flour mixed with the salt and baking powder for 2 cups. Couldn't fix that so tossed it and started over.
I usually like to quick bake, so doing this, which took awhile and had several steps, was a bit out of my box. But it all went fairly smoothly and I might even make them again - the mini bundt pans really turned out some nice looking cakes. I passed them around yesterday to family and friends; David thought it also made a good breakfast with his coffee this morning. If I were doing them for a dinner dessert, I think vanilla ice cream or gelato and fresh berries would be a good addition.
And then the finished product:
Next week, Lemony Semolina Cookies - guess I'm looking for semolina this week.
Comments (7)
Marcia, these look so good and I love the mini bundt pans. We're going hiking with some friends up in Mandeville Canyon next Sunday. I'm supposed to provide dessert. Dare I try to make these? They look good but sound complicated? I admire you for the baking and the blogging. Good work!
Posted by barb cabot | May 4, 2008 10:34 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 22:34
Welcome to the world of blogging :)
Your Grappa-Soaked Mini Sponge Cakes look delicious!!
Posted by girasoli | May 4, 2008 11:32 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 23:32
Those look great!
Posted by Amy | May 5, 2008 3:05 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 03:05
Hey, Marcia,
Your blog looks great! Very professional...
It really is fun,
jan
Posted by jgk | May 5, 2008 3:36 AM
Posted on May 5, 2008 03:36
Terrific blog, gorgeous cakes! Compliments to the baker and the photographer. Searching for ingredients is like a treasure hunt; good luck finding semolina.
Posted by Ellie | May 5, 2008 12:39 PM
Posted on May 5, 2008 12:39
Your mini sponge cakes are cookbook picture perfect!
Finding semolina shouldn't be too difficult. I have a bag I bought at Whole Foods and the brand name is Bob's Red Mill. You can also find other brands at most Italian deli that stocks Italian products. I don't recall seeing any semolina at Trader Joe's.
Posted by María I. | May 7, 2008 8:31 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 08:31
Marcia,
Belated Happy Mother's Day! Thanks for the two wonderful Grappa-Soaked Mini Sponge Cakes. The only problem was that they were too small, or that we didn't have enough of them! The Lemony Semolina Cookies look great; save some for me next time!
And now that I have successfully navigated to the San Antonio Winery, we will have to do that again!
--Rhonda
Posted by Rhonda | May 12, 2008 12:44 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 12:44