Swedish Visiting Cake

November 3, 2012

Swedish visiting cake :: une gamine dans la cuisine

Isn't she a scrumptious blue skillet! I still can't quite believe it's mine. Upon arrival I carried it around the house for about an hour, just so I could get a feel for its wonderfully substantial weight. I also placed it in different locations, surrounded by various linens (even though I almost always end up using the same set). We food bloggers are an odd bunch. ;)

A Le Creuset skillet has been on my radar (and wish-list) for years. So long, in fact, that I never thought I would actually own one.

Kismet must have been on my side because I won this regal blue deity in a giveaway hosted by  Averie, of  Averie Cooks! (I highly recommend a visit to Averie's blog. One look at her photos will have your stomach pleading to make one of her delectable recipes.) Thank you so much, Averie!

Swedish visiting cake :: une gamine dans la cuisine

prior to anything else, I had to introduce the skillet to my oven. A truculent stove is only the third love of my life, right after my stand mixer (battling the oven for first place; Tom Hiddleston, of course).

I made this cake a few years ago when I was a member of Tuesdays with Dorie, but I had to use a cake pan instead of a skillet. I've been dying to revisit the recipe ever since. Naturally it was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw Moody Blue (my skillet's name!).

This cake is beautifully simple. Aside from a skillet, or cake pan, all you will need is one mixing bowl, a whisk and a spatula. But please don't let its breezy lack of complexity fool you - the flavour is strikingly similar to marzipan and its crumb is moist and tight and ambrosial.

This afternoon I saw a few flakes of snow. *hmm* This cake was thoroughly enjoyed along with a cup of strong creamy coffee, a soft nubby blanket, some Nouvelle Vague playing in the background, and one of my favourite read-again novels, The Great Gatsby. Revisiting two old friends in the course of one day is the perfect way to ease into a candidly-chilly November.

Swedish visiting cake :: une gamine dans la cuisine


Swedish Visiting Cake
yields 8-10 servings

for the cake
1 cup granulated sugar
Grated zest of 1 lemon (at least 1 Tablespoon)
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
About 1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 Tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

method
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a seasoned 9-inch cast-iron skillet or other heavy ovenproof skillet. {Note: You may also use a 9-inch cake or pie pan.}

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of sugar and lemon zest. Use your fingertips to work the zest into the sugar until it becomes moist and fragrant. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, whisking for about 1 minute per egg. Whisk in the salt and extracts. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour. Once the flour has been incorporated, fold in the melted butter. Try not to over mix.

Scrape the batter into the skillet. Use an off set spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Scatter the almonds over the top and sprinkle with the 1/2 Tablespoon of sugar. {Note: If you're using a cake or pie pan, place the pan on a baking sheet.}

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is golden and a little crisp on the outside (the center should remain a bit moist). Remove the skillet from the oven and place on top of a cooling rack. Cool completely before enjoying. {Note: I served mine directly from the skillet.}

Recipe found in Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From My Home To Yours

33 comments:

  1. You lucky girl! I can't believe you won this! Congrats! I actually have the same exact skillet and it is my most favorite used kitchen equipment! So glad you made this cake in this too - it looks to die for!

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  2. I love that you named your pan. And what a great name! :)

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  3. I knew you would do it proud! I am so happy it went to a good home and thanks for blogging about it - but really, thanks for making this cake! Because it's a perfect little cake to whip up and I always have all the ingredients on hand. And you will be amazed how much you just start throwing things into the skillet and baking with it, from sweet to savory, it's so forgiving it seems and things just turn out. I've been loving mine so much and glad you are too now! :)

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  4. An intriguing cake. It looks really delicious. A recipe I've been eying since years...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. I just got a plain, black cast iron pan to bake in and thought I was really cool. Now I want to throw it away! :) Congratulations, Valerie, the pan is beautiful! Your day sounded wonderful too, all cuddled up with your book, coffee and this incredible cake!

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  6. Beautiful cake..beautiful light.
    You do with your point and shoot what many aspire to:-)

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  7. I'm totally jealous of Moody Blue! I can soooo totally relate about the Le Creuset happy-land you were in, because I went through the same! It was like being in love with the most popular guy in high school, and he liking you back! Oh, the butterflies in my tummy, the racing of my heart, that extra skip in my steps...I stared at my Le Creuset pot when I first got it back in May. How I wish I had the same skillet so I can make beautiful cakes like this! I want to dig in to that pan this moment! I need something sweet...quick, I need a hit!!!

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  8. Looks divine! I have yet to win something in an online giveaway :)

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  9. I love the Great Gatsby! I've read it at least 10 times! This cake looks like the perfect accompaniment to a cozy afternoon of reading!

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  10. That's some awesome luck you have Val. It's such a pretty little skillet. And I love the cake you made, though I've been making it without a skillet too.

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  11. Looks delicious! I have a wishlist too, sadly mine is much longer and the skillet is about mid way down. If i was to attempt this with a cake pan - which would you recommend for the best finish?

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  12. First of all, that is such an amazing win! Congrats on that giveaway. I would carry that skillet around the house for an hour too! And that cake looks like the perfect complement to my morning latte. I love the addition of lemon zest. It makes everything better.

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  13. Congrats on your win! It's a beautiful skillet and you put it to great use. Love the light in your pictures, too.

    You made me smile at your comment about using the same blog accessories. I find myself doing the same these days. :) Love the cake.

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  14. Moody Blue and flakes of snow..what a week and don't forget about this lovely cake-how wonderful to make it in a Le Creuset skillet- perfecto with your favorite linens;-)

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  15. I am mostly Norwegian, but there is no way I would turn down a piece of Swedish Visiting Cake! :) Looks absolutely delightful!

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  16. What a lovely gift to recieve and I can understand why you were so excited to make something wonderful. Being half swedish, this cake intriques me. It sounds tasty!!!

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  17. @Jade, When I made this cake a few years ago I used a 9-inch cake pan. Don't worry about the depth...this cake is on the slim side. To be on the safe side, grease the pan, line the bottom with parchment, and give it a light coating of flour. :)

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  18. I'm so glad to see this recipe reviewed. It has such an unusual title, and every time I flip through that cookbook, I wonder about it. Sounds like a perfect antidote to a chilly fall day.

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  19. I love the idea of you walking around carrying your prize. How lucky are you! This cake looks so easy and tasty.

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  20. The cake and skillet are both impressive and stunning!

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  21. Congratulations! Wow, what a beautiful skillet. I remember when you posted this cake, and I wanted to make it. Thanks for reminding me. I have a cast iron skillet, but it's not as pretty as yours. Enjoy!

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  22. I must get my hands on an enameled cast iron skillets. It will change my life. Yours is gorgeous! And this cake sounds amazing.

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  23. What a beautiful skillet! And you can justify sleeping with it because you could totally use it to knock down an invader :)
    Love the cake and it's name - perfect for tea time!

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  24. Yum a pretty cake for a pretty skillet. Congrats on winning the skillet how fun. Yes, we food bloggers are a different bunch bu not too different from any other hobbyist.

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  25. I love the color of that skillet and your cake is tempting me. How I'd be so happy now with a slice and my hot cup of coffee:)

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  26. I absolutely love that you named your skillet! Yes, putting linens under it and putting it in different locations is definitely a food blogger thing to do, and I'm not ashamed that I do the same thing, ha! Now this cake, absolutely beautiful!

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  27. Hey, I'm Swedish... which means I must make this, right? Looks perfect!

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  28. Oh my Gosh, I love your skillet!!! It's so much fun to get something new, isn't it?! It looks great, and so does this delicious cake! I just inherited my first cast iron skilled from my Dad a few weeks ago and I love it. I'm always looking for recipes I can use it for. This cake is now on the top of my list!

    Danielle xo

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  29. I love my cast iron pans and have a few Le Creuset casseroles but your skillet is beautiful indeed.
    And the cake, so delicious.
    Thanks for sharing Valerie

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  30. Congrats on Moody Blue, she is absolutely gorgeous! and this cake is just lovely all baked in the skillet, it sounds so wonderfully delicious!

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  31. I have the same pan and I use it all the time! When I first made this Swedish Visiting Cake, I also made it in a cake pan. Might be time to make it again...

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  32. Congrats on winning moody blue. I think you broke it in perfectly. I have that book, but haven't tried this, I need to change that soon. Looking forward to seeing more recipes with that new skillet.
    -Gina-

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  33. That IS a gorgeous skillet!! I'm so excited for you. Great choice in what to make in it, too!

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Thanks for visiting, and for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
If you have a recipe comment or question, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Baking!
♥ Valerie

 

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