I'd like to believe that the biggest reason people come to my shop in Door County is to purchase my Santa figurines, but I admit that many people come in for the free cake and coffee! We have delicious coffee - flavored and ground right here in Door County - and I have a wonderful recipe for Scandinavian Almond Cake. I bake about six cakes a week, and our customers love them! Click here to see the original recipe!www.pipkasofdoorcounty.com/Santa-Ornament-Collectibles/index.phtml?cmd=details&prodID=RehrPan&track=12%4016&catID=16&start=4&fID=0&sort_field
Here are some scrumptious variations on the original recipe: In place of almond extract, add any flavored extract of your choice, such as:
LEMON
- lemon extract and lemon zest
- top warm cake with a lemon glaze (powdered sugar & lemon juice)
- add 1 heaping teaspoon poppy seeds
ORANGE
- orange extract add orange zest
- top warm cake with orange glaze (powdered sugar & orange juice)
- add vanilla extract
* To the cake batter, add any of the following:
- mini-chocolate chips & chopped Door County dried cherries
- finely chopped dried apricots
- toasted & chopped nuts: pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds
- blueberries, fresh or frozen (dust with flour first so they don't stain the batter or sink to the bottom)
* Baked cake fillings - add these to the pan before baking:
- Turtle Cake: Pour half the cake mixture in the pan. Add a layer of caramel ice cream topping and chopped pecans. Top with remaining cake mixture and bake as directed.
- Streusel Cake: Pour half the cake mixture in the plan. Add a streusel mixture of brown sugar, raisins, and nuts. Top with remaining mixture and bake as directed.
* Cake fillings - Cut the cooled cake lengthwise and fill with:
- lemon mousse or lemon curd
- chocolate mousse
- strawberries and pink whipped cream
- Nutella
Simply Elegant!
Cut the basic cake into slices. Top with fresh raspberries, raspberry sauce, and real whipped cream sweetened with powdered sugar.
Raspberry Sauce
Cook 1 package of frozen raspberries, 1 cup water, and 1 cup sugar over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon red food coloring, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and cook until thickened. Force mixture through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl to eliminate seeds. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. It will get thick but thins out again when reheated.
Enjoy! Eating is one of my great pleasures, and I'm glad to share these ideas with you!
Love,
Pipka
