Tag Archive for: lemon recipe

Lemon Curd and Violet Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Lemon Curd and Violet Loaf Cake Recipe

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Lemon curd loaf cake

Lemon Curd Loaf Cake

Loaf cakes are a weekend favourite, partly because they are so quick and easy to make. Without the need for layering and filling, a quick glaze or icing and some edible decorations results in something delicious and pretty with minimal effort.

This lemon curd loaf cake recipe evolved from a half jar of homemade lemon curd lurking in my fridge that I had left over from a wedding cake order. I am always loathe to throw away food and try to use everything up, so decided to add the curd itself to this loaf cake to add an extra tang and moistness.

Lemon and Violet

Lemon and violet are a perfect summery combination. I had crystallised violet petals from Sous Chef UK in my cupboard so used them to add a subtle violet flavour to the cake as well as flavour and decoration on the icing. You could also use other violet products such as a violet sugar (try substituting some of the regular sugar for violet sugar) or violet food essence. Another nice addition would be some seasonal blueberries.  Feel free to experiment!

Happy Baking!

Suzanne

Lemon curd cake

Lemon Curd and Violet Cake Recipe

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 190g unsalted Irish butter
  • 190g plain flour
  • 190g caster sugar
  • 3 medium free range Irish eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 4 tbsp lemon curd (homemade or shop bought)
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 4tsp crystallised violets, ground

Ingredients for the icing and decoration:

  • 100g icing sugar
  • Juice 1 lemon
  • Crystalised violets, coarsely ground
  • Edible flowers

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Cream together the butter, caster sugar, lemon zest and ground crystallised violets in an electric mixer or by hand until light.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
  5. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  6. Finally add the lemon curd and mix again.
  7. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 mins until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  8. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
  9. To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the lemon juice to make an icing with a thick pouring consistency. Add more lemon juice/icing sugar as required to achieve this.
  10. Pour the icing over the cooled cake, using a spatula to spread over the top and allowing a little to drizzle down the sides. Decorate with crushed crystallised violet petals and edible flowers if desired.
  11. The cake keeps well in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

lemon curd cake slice

 

Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Orange Fennel and Honey Loaf Cake Recipe

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Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Loaf Cake Recipe for Irish Country Magazine

I do love a loaf cake…easy to make and requiring little decoration, they are a perfect weekend teatime treat. I devised this Orange Fennel Honey Loaf Cake recipe for a feature in the November 2018 edition of Irish Country Magazine and hence had the pleasure of having talented photographer Ramona Farrelly follow me in its making in my kitchen…thank you for these lovely photos Ramon!Loaf cake ingredients

Loaf Cake Details

This is a classic loaf cake recipe, kept moist by the addition of yogurt and given a refreshing zing with orange zest and syrup. Fennel seeds add a subtle liquorice flavour and heighten the sweetness of the orange. Decorated here with dried edible flowers and chopped pistachios feel free to experiment with presentation…an orange icing would also work well, as would candied orange slices or other nuts.

Happy Baking!

Suzanne x

Orange Fennel and Honey Loaf Cake Recipe

Ingredients for the cake:

  • 190g unsalted Irish butter
  • 190g plain flour
  • 190g caster sugar
  • 3 medium free range Irish eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 25g natural greek yogurt
  • Finely grated zest of 1 large orange
  • 3tsp fennel seed

Ingredients for the syrup and decoration:

  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1tbsp Irish honey
  • 50g caster sugar
  • Handful chopped pistachios (optional)
  • Handful dried flower petals (optional)

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/320F.  Grease and line a 1lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Lightly toast the fennel seed in a hot pan until fragrant. Pour into a pestle and mortar and grind to a fine powder.
  3. Cream together the butter, caster sugar and orange zest in an electric mixer or by hand until light.
  4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ground fennel and salt.
  5. Add the eggs one at a time into the butter sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.
  6. Add in the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
  7. Finally add the yogurt and mix again.
  8. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 45-55 mins until the top of the loaf is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  9. Meanwhile make the syrup. Add the orange juice, honey and sugar to a pan and bring to the boil. Allow to simmer until reduced slightly. Pour over the loaf cake when it comes out of the oven.
  10. Remove the cake from the tin after 10-15mins and leave to cool completely on a wire rack. Decorate with chopped pistachios and dried flower petals if desired.

Orange Loaf Cake Recipe Cove Cake Design

Moist orange fennel loaf cake