Cake’s on a Plane
cake's on a plane?
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that my intention was to write about cake but I had just discovered making “No Knead Bread.” I’m still going crazy with this bread technique -I’m cooking it all the time. I’ll talk about that on another post- but for now- I’ve got to tell you about this beautiful cake.
Spring is here Summer is coming and nothing says summer like iced tea. Nothing says Iced Tea like this beautiful cake. When I saw this post on honey & jam.com I knew I was going to make this cake. Hannah Queen is a an amazing young Southern woman who apparently is an amazing cook. Bless my heart, newbie I am, I had no idea! Her bio can attest to her skills she’s been in many magazines… this girl can cook and photography skills are enviable. WOW! I can’t imagine being so put together at such a young age! I digress…
Ms.Queen gives us this Lemon cake … with black tea frosting! Seems inspired! It’s like the most beautiful iced tea you can imagine. The flavors and the photographs in the description this pulled me right in. I made this cake the day after I saw the post! I called this post “Cake’s on a Plane” because in the 1st photograph it looks like this cake is sitting on a plane. Well it looks that way to me… Doesn’t it to you? It’s not on a plane. It’s near my kitchen table. That looks exactly like a plane window to me…
The cake part is pretty straight forward. There is a bit of lemon zest included, but i was a little surprised to see the lemon flavor came from lemon extract and a delightful glaze you pour into a perforated warm cake. The lemon was still quite mild-but of course I had been a citrus binge for a few days. Perhaps a bit of subtlety was missed by me.
I’m just learning about making cakes, and frosting them. I realize now I didn’t put enough frosting between the layers of cake. You can’t really see the middle frosting layer. I’ll know next time. This is what I love about working in the kitchen, there’s always another chance! (and you can eat your mistakes!!)
where's the frosting
I found out since I made this cake that this is a classic Italian meringue frosting. Basically, you make a meringue and add hot syrup to it to while whipping to bring it into this amazing consistency. This recipe has a black tea syrup to give it that beautiful subtle taste of black tea. I enjoyed making this frosting, but I was very concerned about the amount of lost syrup that flew on to the sides of the mixing bowl as the whip worked. I wonder if that is that normal?
To make the beautiful decoration, I had to candy some lemons. This is the first time that I’ve made candied lemon slices or any candied fruit for that matter. I had a great time and it was really delicious learning how to do this! I only needed a few for my cake but I kept putting more in the pan so that I could eat them. And I did. I snacky snacked on them all day. Every time I walked into the kitchen I would eat one, as if to say “Welcome to the kitchen! Congratulations! Have a candied lemon slice!” I did friends, I surely did.
The cake and the frosting are a very light and refreshing combination in this dessert. I had mine with milk! Head over to honey & jam and check out Hanna’s beautiful photos and food! You’ll be absolutely inspired!
darla cooks 
I love lemon and ice-tea. This cake looks heavenly!
thanks! it was fun to make!
Beautiful photos, the cake looks wonderful.
thank you! and thanks for coming by!
Sounds like southern delight…lol….tea and lemons.
so yummy!!
First, I am so sad that I’m now in San Antonio and can’t taste test for you. Second, I love your “out of the heat…” line. It’s like the inverse of “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” — very cool. Third, do you do your own photography? It is beautiful!!!
oh Jeff! you aren’t THAT far away. and i already know you’ll be back lots and lots- you’ve got g.babies here!!
I agree, beautiful photos… now I want to make candied lemons. What recipe did you follow for that?
thanks for your compliments! i used the one that is with the other recipes for this cake… Hanna uses martha stewart’s recipe. easy peasy! go check it out! and have fun making candied lemons!
cool, thank you, I will check it out!
Yummy!!!1
you said it sista!
Pretty AND Yummy!
you would certainly enjoy it! and thanks! thanks for coming by!
Oh yummy! Your cake is gorgeous! I don’t like lemon in my tea but I bet I would love this lemon/tea cake, wierd how that works. I have also been on a citrus binge, I LOVE and ADORE all things citrus and want my own personal, private grove someday that I will not share with anyone!!! I just candied grapefruit peel for another recipe but candying lemon will be right up my alley. Have you ever tried preserved lemon? Not sweet, salty but I’m thinking of somehow using them in a dessert….maybe I’m getting too citrus crazy now!
oh goodness! i think you are my citrus soul- mate! 😉
This looks YUMMY! And thank you for pointing us in honeyandjam’s direction – what an amazing find!
SERIOUSLY! where have WE been?? she’s amazing!
Reblogged this on Meats Treats & More and commented:
I am gonna make this one day. Looked way too good to pass up!
Thanks Darla
ahhh! thanks! awesome!
This cake is absolutely beautiful! Great presentation and pictures.
thank you very much. and thanks for talking time to comment so kindly.